History of the Monday Night War

12/4/95

Week 13

By Bill Beecroft

RAW

“Gentlemen, start your engines!  Bob ‘Spark Plug’ Holly on his way to the squared circle for action tonight!” growls Vince McMahon as he and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome everyone to Raw.  Holly’s opponent is “The British Bulldog,” Davey Boy Smith. Vince mentions the upcoming Bulldog v Hitman match (PPV).  Bulldog could be next WWE champ.  Smith unplugs Holly with a running power slam.  Winner: Davey Boy Smith

Bob Backlund is in the audience campaigning for President.  Clip of Backlund putting the chicken wing cross-face on JR.  Lawler interviews Backlund. Backlund plays an oddball version of himself, slightly tweaked from his days as heavyweight champ. Ranting, “I want to be God again!  I want to reign over all these plebeians…” McMahon says to kill his mic.  Next week on Raw, Backlund v Hitman in a non-title match.  Backlund stalks off to find the sound engineer that cut his mic.

Fatu v the Brooklyn Brawler is the next match.  Silence from commentators for about 90% of the match.  “Whattamaneuver!” Winner: Fatu

Next we check in with Dok Hendrix, clad in a 90’s chic silk flower print shirt and sweater vest with his hair pulled into the tightest pompadour with the ponytail tucked in back and a mustache. Dok is interrupted by Vince.  We cut to Backlund, who has found the sound engineer and attacks him. Puts the chicken wing on him.  Back to Dok.  That guy’s crazy!  Well, the news is Diesel is facing Owen hart at the PPV.

Next up is Dean Douglas v Razor Ramon for the Intercontinental title.  Douglas gets the best of Razor early on but Razor turns it around.  Razor has a white piece of tape on his boot that says “Shawn.” Dean works Razor’s back.  Lawler mentions Bosnia.  McMahon says, “Some people think we have no business being in Bosnia.”  The bad guy gets the pin with the Razor’s Edge.  Winner: Razor Ramon

Brother Love in ring. King Mabel carried to the ring. Mabel will be facing the Undertaker in a casket match at the next PPV.  Love has a surprise for King Mabel.  Mo (dressed as a druid) pushes the casket out to the ring.  It’s a pimped out casket with graffiti all over it.  King Mabel thanks Love for the gift.  Then he cuts a promo on the Undertaker: “At Hershey Park I’m gonna stuff you in that casket!”  I think Mabel will be doing a lot of stuffing at Hershey Park.  “For you there will be no love.  For you there will be 500 lbs of hate.”

Commercial for the Raw Bowl, then a clip of Marty getting ready for his match and talking to Razor, “Watch out for the Kid,” says Jannetty.  “I got your back, Meng, oozes the bad guy.

Psycho Sid v Marty Jannetty: To get a match with 123 Kid, Jannetty has to beat Sid first.

“The ruler of merchandise, Barry Dabinsky.” Plugs 7 foot cardboard statues of Undertaker for sale. Jannetty takes it to Sid early, but soon feels his power.  Clothesline from Sid and Jannetty does a 360 bump.  Then the Million Dollar Man kicks Marty while out on the floor.  123 Kid runs out and joins in the kicking.  Razor runs out and chases the Kid away.  Winner by DQ: Marty Jannetty

Next up is the dramatic retelling of Shawn Michaels’ head injury.  Todd Pettengil interviews Dr. Jeffery Unger as they play “St. Elsewhere” type music and show an “I’m a doctor and I work in a hospital” montage. Dr. says he’s not sure when or if Shawn Michaels will return to action.

Next is another video package with Vince speaking over it.  It’s in a “thoughtful, public service message” tone and Vince talks about the hazards of the business and how superstars risk their lives to be on top. He praises Michaels for his will to compete.

Rating was a 2.6

NITRO

Live from Phoenix, Arizona!

Main Event is Luger v Savage for the title.

They start the build for Starrcade.  Who will be in the triangle match?

American Males v Harlem Heat w/ Sister Sherri: Bad play-by-play by Bischoff. Jump spin wheel kicks, back leg round kick, side kicks etc… Decent back and forth match.  Col. Rob Parker is looking on.  Everyone knows Parker’s got something going for Sherri.  Parker comes to ringside and gives Sherri a gift, distracting her from her team. Sherri leaves with Parker.  Riggs is hurt.  Buff gets the hot tag.  Booker gets the pin with the Harlem Hangover.  Winners: Harlem Heat

Mean Gene on the ramp with Lex Luger and Sting.  What’s the story?  Friendship is friendship, but business is business.  If they ever have to face each other for the title, it’s on.

Sting v Kurasawa: Col. Parker is not with Kurasawa.  Some stiff chops and Stinger Splash into Scorpion Death Lock.  Winner: Sting

Scott Norton v The Giant w/ Jimmy Hart and Kevin Sullivan

Next week’s main event is Sting and Hogan v Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.

Norton hits an impressive Atomic Drop on Giant.  Giant manhandles Norton.  Slow match with two very strong dudes.  Chokeslam!  Winner: Giant

Mean Gene introduces Ric Flair.  Flair comes out with Charles Barkley of the Phoenix Suns.  Barkley gets a lesson on promos from the Naitch.  Is Barkley the next Horseman?

Bischoff is dressed like he works the front desk at a Colorado ski lodge.

Now it’s time for the main event. 

Lex Luger v Randy Savage in a WCW World title match: Legitimately good main event match.  This is also the best announcing job by the trio of Heenan, McMichael and Bischoff, making you feel like you’re watching a big fight.  Luger sells his arm pretty well.  Ref bump.  Savage attacks Hart, then the Nature Boy interferes and clocks Savage with brass nux, then struts out of the ring.  Hart pulls Luger onto Savage for a cover.

As Flair is backing up the ramp, he’s headed off by Hulk Hogan, who chases Flair into the ring.  Then stops the ref from counting three.  Ref rings bell.  Chaos.  Hogan grabs Luger and winds up to punch him, but Sting runs in to stop it and Hogan inadvertently smashes Sting’s face.  Shoving.  Hogan rips off his shirt.  Savage tries to separate them.

Back from break and Gene is in ring with all three.  More teasing of heat between Sting, Hogan, Luger, etc.  Hogan questions Sting’s loyalty as a tag team partner next week.  Savage and Hogan think Luger is bad news. Sting thinks they should give him a chance.  Let’s unite and focus on Flair and Anderson.  Sting will keep Luger out of Savage and Hogan’s face.  Starrcade is just a few weeks away!

Winner by DQ but not champion: Lex Luger. 

Rating was a 2.4 losing to RAW by 2/10^th’s of a point.