[Mr. McMahon] Tonight on Monday Night Raw,
after suffering a career-threatening head injury,
Shawn Michaels makes a stunning revelation.
Is the ego of Shawn Michaels so big?
And, as a man, is he's so proud that he can't leave it behind?
[Lawler] We'll find out.
Plus, is Billionaire Ted planning another Raw rip-off?
Boy toy. Yeah. [laughs]
That was good. I like it.
[Mr. McMahon] And you will witness one of the most traumatic,
the most graphic, the most shocking WWE title matches ever
as the courageous champion fends off his heartless brother-in-law.
[Lawler] All that, plus a special Slam Jam guest,
it's Scheme Gene.
[intro music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] Welcome, everyone. Yes, indeed, welcome to Raw.
How about that news, Jerry Lawler?
[Lawler] I'm gonna say one thing about Shawn Michaels,
the man is a fool, McMahon.
-Oh, really? -That's right.
Of course, more on that later on.
Yes, in the ring in the moment we have Hakushi
one-on-one against "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
Plus, we're gonna find out finally
who is the Million Dollar Champion right here tonight.
Oh, yeah, and we're also gonna see him in action, Goldust.
Oh, I… I can't wait.
[Mr. McMahon] Yes, indeed,
it's gonna be a night of bombshells, ladies and gentlemen.
As a matter of fact, we're gonna announce just the Royal Rumble Sweepstakes
where we got all kinds of the things happening right here
in the middle of the blizzard of '96.
[Lawler] Yeah. January 8th,
and I'm looking for Double J to come out here.
And you know what he's gonna do to Hakushi?
He's gonna shut him down like a New York airport.
-[Mr. McMahon] Is that right? -[Lawler] Oh, yeah.
[Mr. McMahon] "Double J" Jeff Jarrett, ladies and gentlemen,
on his way to the Royal Rumble.
He thought he was gonna be on his way to actually enter the Royal Rumble match,
one of 30 individuals, but, no, indeed not.
Based on what happened at the recent In Your House--
-[Lawler] Hey, look at that. -[Mr. McMahon] "Ain't I great?"
"Not!" Yeah!
Gorilla Monsoon made a great decision saying, "No, no, no, Double J."
"You're not in the Royal Rumble match-up."
"You're gonna be facing Ahmed Johnson one-on-one."
…hit to play for you.
[Lawler] Listen, he's gonna sing.
[Mr. McMahon] No, not tonight.
He's got a new album, by the way.
Let's take you back, however,
ladies and gentlemen, approximately three weeks ago,
-take a look at this. What a set up. -[Lawler] Yeah. This was great. Look.
-[Mr. McMahon] Oh! -[Lawler laughing]
[Lawler] That's a headache, number one.
Ahmed Johnson.
Number two.
[Mr. McMahon] And that wasn't enough. That wasn't enough. Watch this.
What were you and Double J up to, King? What were you trying to accomplish?
[Lawler] What? Hey, Ahmed's the one
that was running his big mouth about what he's gonna do to Double J.
[Mr. McMahon] And watch this.
Unbelievable. Wow!
[Lawler] Have a seat, Ahmed. [laughs]
[Mr. McMahon] "Double J" Jeff Jarrett taking it to Ahmed Johnson.
Oh, my goodness.
[bell dings]
[Mr. McMahon] And they will be on a collision course
at the WWE Royal Rumble, ladies and gentlemen,
in Fresno, California,
on January 21 exclusively on pay-per-view
as only the World Wrestling Entertainment can bring you.
All right. There it is. Is that a Gibson? What kind of make is that?
[Lawler] That guitar was given to Double J,
presented to him, if you will,
by his close personal friend, Garth Brooks.
-[Mr. McMahon] I tend to doubt that. -[Lawler] What do you mean?
Double J's got a lot of friends in low places.
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. I'm sure he does.
Here we go, ladies and gentlemen, a "Modern Day Kamikaze"
on the left side of your screen,
Hakushi, one of the great athletes here in the WWE.
And against "Double J" Jeff Jarrett should be an outstanding match-up
to open up things here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Lawler] Look at this.
[Mr. McMahon] Clever maneuver on the part… Oh, wait a minute.
-Scoop up now by Double J and a big slam. -[Lawler] Yes. [laughs]
[Mr. McMahon] "Double J" Jeff Jarrett doing that strutting.
And Ahmed Johnson, ladies and gentlemen, is going to be in action tonight.
And you sort of wonder… You know he's watching this match.
You know he's warming up for his match.
But is Ahmed gonna come down here and get a good close-up look at Double J?
[Lawler] Well, maybe if he does, he might learn something.
-[Mr. McMahon] Is that right? -[Lawler] That's right.
Double J's greater than great.
[Mr. McMahon] Greater than…
-That's the name of his new album, is it? -[Lawler] That's right.
[Mr. McMahon] Hakushi, now being set up by Double J.
And to the mid-section now.
Nice scoop-up, one-leg takedown by Hakushi.
[Lawler] That wasn't fair!
[Mr. McMahon] And Hakushi… No, over the top.
But he lands right up on his feet. Nicely done. Look at this.
"Double J" Jeff Jarrett thinks Hakushi is on the fifth row somewhere.
-[Lawler] Look out, Double J. -[Mr. McMahon] Look, quick as a cat.
-[Lawler] Sneak attack. -[Mr. McMahon] From the top rope and down.
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] Hakushi with a take-down. Now setting up Double J for the ride.
Off the rope and dropkick, nails Double J right in his teeth.
Double J may be singing the blues after this match if he's singing at all.
Wait a minute. Look at that. High gear reverse.
[Lawler] That's a smart move. You got to give him credit, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] Double J, Jeff Jarrett, getting his way back to…
Where he going? He's going back to the locker room.
-[Lawler] I don't blame him. -[Mr. McMahon] He's had enough of Hakushi.
[Lawler] Well, Hakushi's cheating like crazy.
[Mr. McMahon] What do you mean? What's the problem?
Look at this. Double J, Jeff… No, he's… Now, he's coming back.
He doesn't want that blemish on his record.
"Double J" Jeff Jarrett opening up things here tonight against Hakushi,
our first match-up tonight on Raw.
We said before there's gonna be a number of bombshells here coming tonight.
[Lawler] Hey, there you go.
[Mr. McMahon] Wait a minute. Look at this.
And a clever maneuver on the part of Double J, actually.
[Lawler] He's brilliant. Not clever, he's brilliant.
[Mr. McMahon] "Double J" Jeff Jarrett setting up Hakushi now.
Oh, my goodness. What a clothesline that was!
Hakushi, I believe, is going to defeat "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
-[Lawler] What? -[Mr. McMahon] Right, yes, sir.
Right here tonight on Monday Night Raw.
[Lawler] Watch this.
[Mr. McMahon] Double J now coming off the rope and…
Stay with us. We'll be right back.
[Mr. McMahon] Welcome back, everyone, to more Monday Night Raw.
Vince McMahon and Jerry "The King" Lawler here with you.
And, yes, in the ring right now "Double J" Jeff Jarrett
hanging onto the rope against "Modern Day Kamikaze" Hakushi.
Yet to come here tonight, we've got Shawn Michaels' press conference.
The Royal Rumble Sweepstakes winner, Billionaire Ted is gonna join us.
"The Hitman" Bret Hart against Davey Boy Smith,
his own brother-in-law,
and we're gonna find out who the Million Dollar Champion is.
All that and more. All kind of bombshells.
[Lawler] I guess you'd probably call that a little illegal procedure.
I think it's a personal foul, if you ask me.
[Mr. McMahon] Now, wait a minute. That was last week.
Oh, look at this. And, oh!
What a maneuver there by "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
[Lawler] Oh, we're not doing roll ball anymore, right?
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah, what was last week.
[Lawler] I saw so many ball games last week, McMahon,
that at dinner, somebody passed me the turkey and I spiked it.
[Mr. McMahon laughs] Hakushi being set up for the ride,
coming off in underneath the roundhouse and…
Oh! Nice maneuver.
Hakushi, able to mix it up on a European style,
based, certainly, on the Japanese…
Oh! Look right there, yeah. Oh, nobody home at all.
[Lawler] Well, whatever happened to this Americanization of Hakushi?
It's at full swing, you know.
[Mr. McMahon] It's an ongoing process. One, two and, a kick-out.
No, he didn't. Definitely not.
[Lawler] I think Hakushi just sort of turning his back on his countrymen.
[Mr. McMahon] What do you mean by that?
[Lawler] I heard that he's gonna open a big and tall men's shop in Tokyo.
[Mr. McMahon] Nobody home there. He's gonna open a what?
[Lawler] A big and tall men's shop in Tokyo.
-[Mr. McMahon] Cover! Double J. One, two-- -[Lawler] Got him again.
[Mr. McMahon] Another kick-out by Hakushi.
Hakushi and Double J going out out here tonight on Raw.
And of course, it was mentioned earlier on,
Goldust is going to join us.
Ahmed Johnson is looking on as we speak, no doubt.
[Lawler] Hey, I'd like to say happy birthday,
as a matter of fact, to Goldust's favorite singer.
[Mr. McMahon] All right. And who might that be?
[Lawler] David Bowie. It's his birthday. Happy birthday, David.
-He and I are close personal friends. -[Mr. McMahon] I see.
Ramming the elbow, Hakushi, and again.
Hakushi with a chop.
-Hakushi off the rope now. -[Lawler] Catch him, Double J.
[Mr. McMahon] From the other side and… No, a nice maneuver by Hakushi.
-[Lawler] Look out. -[Mr. McMahon] Double J… Yes!
Down to the midsection.
Hakushi pouring it on Double J.
And Double J now set up for the ride. The former Intercontinental Champion.
Look out. Here comes Hakushi and tremendous impact.
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] Off the rope and down goes Double J.
A cover here.
Lateral press, two and…
-[Lawler] Double J, kick-out! -[Mr. McMahon] No. So very, very close.
The right shoulder barely coming up from our vantage point.
A scoop now. Double J slammed to the canvas.
-[Lawler] What's he gonna do? -[Mr. McMahon] Oh, here we go.
From the top as only Hakushi can.
-[crowd cheering] -[Mr. McMahon] Hakushi.
Watch this now.
-Tremendous… Oh, no! -[Lawler] Look out.
Right into the knees of Double J. I told you he was brilliant.
-[Mr. McMahon] Double J now. -[Lawler] Oh, yeah.
[Mr. McMahon] Can he put the Figure-Four on Hakushi? Here we go.
-Hakushi. -[Lawler] He's got him.
-[Mr. McMahon] Reach for the ropes. -Yes. Yes.
[Lawler] Give up, Hakushi!
-[Mr. McMahon] Hakushi not having this! -[bell dings]
[Mr. McMahon] No, no. It's over. "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
-[Lawler] Sayonara! -[announcer] The winner of the match…
[Mr. McMahon] What a victory over Hakushi.
And Ahmed Johnson, we are told, is in fact looking on as we speak.
And he just might come out any second.
Ahmed… Wait a minute. Look at this.
You don't think he's gonna play.
-[Lawler] I wish he would. -[Mr. McMahon] Oh, really? Let's go back.
Take a look at some of the action we saw here in the match-up.
[Lawler] Look at this.
[Mr. McMahon] Hakushi gets off the top and there.
What impact, the knees squarely into the rib cage.
All right. We're gonna take you now, ladies and gentlemen, to the Slam Jam,
subject matter of the Royal Rumble, and of course Shawn Michaels.
And joining us down, Jim Ross. Jim, where's Doug? Jim?
Well, Vince, Doug got pinned by Old Man Winter tonight,
but we are gonna be joined in a few moments by "Scheme" Gene.
[Mr. McMahon] Who?
And I'm here to tell you about the Royal Rumble.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Royal Rumble is less than two weeks away
exclusively on pay-per-view.
Thirty men will enter the 1996 Royal Rumble
and the winner is guaranteed
a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XII.
This past weekend, we heard that Doug Gilbert of the USWA
had entered the Royal Rumble
along with the legendary Jake "The Snake" Roberts,
Jerry "The King" Lawler, Fatu, and Isaac Yankem DDS.
And it was just last week that we heard about Vader.
[Vader] From the power of the Rocky Mountains,
I bring you the Prince of Power.
It's time.
It's Vader time!
[Ross] Man, Vader is all man. No doubt about it, folks.
Also entered Henry Godwinn, Marty Jannetty, Kama,
Skip with The Bodydonnas,
and All Japan Wrestling's Takao Omori.
Folks, the Royal Rumble match is the most exciting hour of the year in the WWE.
You can't miss it on pay-per-view.
And, "Scheme" Gene, what do you have for us?
Superstars are coming out of the woodwork for this one.
I can't give it to you now, but I can give it to you later.
[bell dings]
[Mr. McMahon] Uh-oh, it sounds like another one those rumors coming up.
Here's come Ahmed Johnson on his way to the Royal Rumble,
to lock up on "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
Ahmed Johnson, on his way to action tonight in Raw.
This man is all man.
[Lawler] Yeah. But rumor has it, he's really scared of Double J.
-[Mr. McMahon] Oh, is that right? -[Lawler] Yeah.
[Mr. McMahon] So much for rumors. [laughs]
All night in action, plus we're gonna find out
who is the Million Dollar Champion. Stay with us.
[Mr. McMahon] Double J's where? Oh, wait a minute.
We're back, ladies and gentlemen, with more Raw.
We've got Ahmed Johnson one-on-one with Jeff Grettler.
A rather unusual attire on the part of Grettler
who I think just hurt himself.
And another clothesline attempt. Wait a minute, what's this?
And, oh, my goodness.
All right. Jerry "The King" Lawler, describe that move.
-What was that? -[Lawler] Uh, I'm not sure.
Maybe one and a half gainer with a triple summersault.
I'd give it about a nine, though.
[Mr. McMahon] What do you think this is? Olympic diving? Oh, no!
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] Grettler is being taken to school by Ahmed Johnson.
And take a look here, this double feature.
Unbelievable impact here.
It's only the World Wrestling Entertainment can bring you…
There's another bit of impact.
And I know you're glad that's not you, but it could've been this past weekend.
-But as usual, you… [clucking] -[Lawler] What?
-[Mr. McMahon] …chickened out. -[Lawler] What are you talking about?
[Mr. McMahon] You know what I'm talking about.
-[Lawler] I had a legitimate injury! -[Mr. McMahon] Had a legitimate injury.
-[Lawler] My leg was broken! -[Mr. McMahon] Your leg was broken.
In a match-up this past weekend, it was supposed to be
Jerry "The King" Lawler one-on-one with Ahmed.
You came down to the ring on crutches, come on! Give me a break here!
[Lawler] Well, I was, you know, at that time, I was hurt.
I can wrestle him tonight. You want me to go in there tonight against him?
[Mr. McMahon] Why don't you just stay put?
-[Lawler] See, us Kings-- -[Mr. McMahon] Oh, then again, go ahead.
[Lawler] Us Kings have amazing recuperative powers.
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. As I noticed, and everyone else did as well,
as you were walking out of the arena last week,
you didn't need your crutches.
[Lawler] Well, I have a high tolerance for pain
which is something you would know nothing about.
[Mr. McMahon] I see. Uh-oh, look, here we go. Is this it?
Here comes a Pearl River Plunge, I believe.
[Lawler] Well, I might just go in there right now.
[Mr. McMahon] Jeff Grettler and down to the canvas.
One, two and a count of three.
[bell dings]
[Mr. McMahon] Ahmed Johnson, making short work of Jeff Grettler,
but another Jeff, ladies and gentlemen, is looking on, "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
As we take you back to the replay now, watch his maneuver.
Oh, yeah.
That will bust anybody's spine.
And then from there, the Pearl River Plunge.
Wait a minute, here comes Double J.
Stay with us. Here comes "Double J" Jeff Jarrett.
-Come on. Swinging… No. -[Lawler] What?
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, my goodness.
Double J almost nailed Ahmed Johnson as he did at In Your House.
And now he's taking off. He better get out of there.
He better run.
Double J will not be able to run, however, at the Royal Rumble, I'll guarantee that.
[Lawler] I cannot believe he damaged that guitar that was given to him by…
[Mr. McMahon] What are you talking about?
[Lawler] Well, that guitar was given to him by Garth Brooks.
[Mr. McMahon] Garth Brooks.
-Oh, my… -[Lawler] What? Wait a minute.
[Mr. McMahon] What a tune Ahmed Johnson is playing on that guitar.
More action coming up this week.
However, ladies and gentlemen, next week right here on Monday Night Raw…
[narrator] The Undertaker.
His vengeance was ruthless and fierce
when he presided over the funeral of King Mabel and Sir Mo
and regained the powers of the urn.
So, now, in preparation for his title shot at the Rumble,
he's taking on this demented dentist with a sweet tooth for pain.
The Undertaker battles Isaac Yankem DDS,
plus Marty Jannetty and Owen Hart go head-to-head in aerial combat.
All this and more, next week on Raw.
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. That's next week, but lots more coming this week.
Brother Love right now. And Ted DiBiase's in the ring.
We're gonna find out… Look at that beautiful belt.
Just who is the new Million Dollar Champion?
For the entire year of 1995,
I have searched and searched and searched
in the hopes that I could find someone
who would exemplify
what I feel a Million Dollar Champion should be.
But I searched in vain…
[Mr. McMahon] That's some belt.
…and in frustration until finally, Brother Love,
finally, Brother Love, I have found him.
-So without any further ado… -[Lawler] Who is it?
I give you The Ringmaster.
♪ Money, money, money, money, money ♪
[Lawler] Come on, where is he?
[Mr. McMahon] And here he comes.
The new Million Dollar Champion,
The Ringmaster.
[Lawler] I'm impressed, McMahon. What about you?
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, very impressed. This man's skills are very well known.
You're talking about a grappler.
You're talking about a man that can mix it up in any fashion at all.
[DiBiase] …physical specimen. And although you haven't seen him wrestle,
when you do, you'll all know why he is a Million Dollar Champion.
He is the Million Dollar Champion.
And, Ringmaster, right here in front of everybody,
I want to officially crown you my Million Dollar Champion.
[Brother Love] Behold, brothers and sisters,
behold the Million Dollar Champion,
Brother Ringmaster.
[Mr. McMahon] That belt would rival a crown.
I really would go out on a limb here, man. Back up a little bit, brother.
Everybody out there in TV land,
I'm gonna give you a chance to be somebody.
Come on, get the camera on that hand right there.
I want everybody out there in TV land to touch your screen
and feel what it's like to be destined for success.
-[Mr. McMahon] Go ahead, King. -[Lawler] I got it up there.
Feel what it's like to be born a champion, man.
[Lawler] You better put your hand up there, McMahon.
I didn't come out here just to run my mouth, Brother Love.
I'm here to prove every single thing I say.
Me and the Million Dollar Man talked.
I'm in the Royal Rumble, man.
I'm gonna prove how good The Ringmaster is
after I toss every single one of the WWE Superstars
over that rope right there, man,
I'll be the one getting the shot
at the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship.
It doesn't mean anything compared to the Million Dollar Belt, of course.
But in WrestleMania, man, I'm gonna do it all,
and you're gonna see what the Million Dollar Man
and the Million Dollar Champ are gonna accomplish.
And then I'll have every single thing that I want out of the WWE.
And why is that?
Because everybody's got a price for the Million Dollar Man.
[Lawler] Well, I told you, McMahon, there'll be bombshells dropping tonight
-and that was just one of them. -[Mr. McMahon] No question about it.
Yet to come, ladies and gentlemen, Bret "The Hitman" Hart
against Davey Boy Smith.
The British Bulldog in a graphic match-up.
The question was asked of the official referee, Earl Hebner,
why didn't you stop the match?
Why didn't you stop it?
[Earl] I knew he was bleeding awful bad, and I kept talking to him,
and I kept asking to say my name.
And I'd hold up some fingers during the match,
and say how many fingers do I have I up?
So I knew was conscious and he did know what I was talking about.
[Mr. McMahon] Plus, The Huckster will join us.
Yeah, Billionaire Ted's Wrasslin' Warroom
and bombshell there for sure.
[Lawler] Plus, wait until you get a load of the footage
from Shawn Michaels' press conference.
[Mr. McMahon] Welcome back, everyone, to more Monday Night Raw
in a squared circle unquestionably one of the more controversial
and surely the most bizarre individual ever
here on the World Wrestling Entertainment, Goldust.
Goldust one-on-one against Aldo Montoya.
And Goldust has been very overt in his commentary and his actions
as it relates to his opponent at the Royal Rumble,
the reigning Intercontinental Champion "The Bad Guy" Razor Ramon.
What a match-up that's gonna be at the Rumble.
[Lawler] What do you mean overt?
Just because a few weeks ago he gave him that rather, I don't know…
-[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. The letter. -[Lawler] Explicit note.
Yeah. I read it. Did I ever tell you exactly what was in there, McMahon?
[Mr. McMahon] No, as a matter of fact, you didn't,
and I don't think you really should
as we are being drowned here a bit in gold dust.
[Lawler] And then he gave Razor Ramon some gold roses.
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah.
[Lawler] And then the gold teddy bear dressed like Goldust.
[Mr. McMahon] The androgynous look of Goldust.
However, no matter what this man says, no matter what he does,
no matter what his actions are,
you have to give him credit in terms of his wrestling skill.
And, again, so many individuals really speculate
that what he says, he really doesn't mean.
-And his actions-- -[Lawler] What?
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, that's right, I mean… Oh, hit him from behind.
Aldo Montoya should never turn his back on a man like Goldust.
Oh, my goodness. Goldust with a shot!
[Lawler] Well, you know, I've said it before,
Goldust is probably the world's biggest movie buff.
I mean, he loves actors, he loves acting. Maybe this is all an act, who knows?
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. Right. You never can tell.
Goldust behind Aldo Montoya now! Suplex, down to the canvas.
High-impact maneuver.
Goldust certainly has great grappling skills.
And as you said, quite a movie buff, I would suggest you that his…
One of his favorite movies is Heat. Oh, he knows how to get plenty of that.
[Lawler] Hey, but what about the number one movie
that's out in the nation right now?
It's starring Stu and Helen Hart's grandchildren.
[Mr. McMahon] I beg your pardon?
[Lawler] You haven't heard about it, 12 Monkeys?
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, please. 12 Monkeys.
[Lawler laughs] You know, if you were in the movies,
-you would be a character actor. -[Mr. McMahon] All right.
[Lawler] When you show any character, you're acting. [laughs]
I got a million of them, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] Yeah. You've got a million of them, all right.
Jerry "The King" Lawler… Oh, my goodness!
Entering the Royal Rumble match-up itself as compared to just one of the events
that takes place at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
And again, Razor Ramon, you know, is watching this match-up as we speak.
The Bad Guy trying to study the wrestling skills of Goldust.
Can Razor focus on the wrestling technique of Goldust in such a fashion
as to successfully defend the Intercontinental title at the Rumble?
Off the rope and, oh, nice clothesline, nicely done.
-Hey. Aldo Montoya. -[Lawler] Watch out, watch out.
[Mr. McMahon] Montoya with the right hand, clipping the jaw.
Montoya, hammering away, trying to set up the bizarre on Goldust,
off the rope and back, body drop.
Come on!
[Mr. McMahon] Aldo Montoya with some momentum here.
And trying to set up Goldust, he does.
Coming off the rope and over. No.
And, oh, for a moment.
-[Lawler] There you go. -[Mr. McMahon] Oh, no. Oh, no.
Look at this maneu… Oh!
A devastating maneuver. The cover, the count.
-Oh, there you go. -[bell dings]
[Mr. McMahon] And once again a victory by Goldust.
[Lawler] That's what Aldo Montoya gets.
He tried to make Goldust look like something out of Apollo 13,
but he paid the price in the end.
[Mr. McMahon] Again, most unusual, most bizarre.
Give him credit, however, for his wrestling skill
that will be put to the test by The Bad Guy.
What a great match-up that's gonna be exclusively on pay-per-view.
Right now, let's take it to Jim Ross at the Slam Jam.
Welcome back to Slam Jam, everybody.
The talk of the WWE has been the future of Shawn Michaels.
Earlier today in Fresno, California, the site of the 1996 Royal Rumble,
Shawn Michaels conducted a press conference.
Let us take you now to Shawn Michaels.
My doctors and the people around me think it would be best
that I no longer compete in the World Wrestling Entertainment.
So I have to apologize to my friends,
my family, my doctors,
but Shawn Michaels is throwing his name
into the many names that'll be competing at the Royal Rumble in Fresno.
[crowd cheering]
And come WrestleMania, regardless of who's wearing
the World Wrestling Entertainment Championship belt,
you will be facing…
the "Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania
and you will be giving your title to the next man
who will carry the World Wrestling Entertainment
on its shoulders into the new millennium.
And, folks, he's me.
[crowd cheering]
That's certainly great news. I hope Shawn is making the right decision.
And it certainly sheds a different light on the 1996 Royal Rumble.
Hold on, Jim. I got a huge name for the Royal Rumble.
As my mother-in-law used to say, "It's too hot for television."
But I'll give it up if you give me a call on the hotline.
Oh, come on, Gene, one time, right here on TV.
-One time. -All right.
It's Vader time.
[Mr. McMahon] Well, that's difficult, Scheme.
All right. King, your reaction at the extraordinary announcement.
This is the biggest mistake in Shawn Michaels' life.
Not in his career, in his life.
Your life is more important than your career.
With that in mind, let's get some other reactions from WWE Superstars.
You know, Royal Rumble, if he gets in there with me,
sorry, business is business, friends are friends,
and I want my belt back, too.
But, hey, I wish him all the luck in the world.
He's my best friend.
Shawn, I think it's too soon, chico.
You got a lot of lumps on that head of yours.
Hey, I put some of them there.
But I know this, if the Heartbreak Kid is in the Royal Rumble, he'll win it.
You know and I know deep down inside, Shawn, you're hurting.
I hurt you bad, Shawn. You're not ready for this Royal Rumble.
And when you step in the ring with 29 other guys,
believe me, you're a marked man.
And I'm the first man that's gonna get my hands on you.
I'll make sure that you'll never wrestle again.
[Mr. McMahon] Shawn Michaels is making some noise.
All right. What kind of athleticism
and competition could you expect here and only here
on the World Wrestling Entertainment especially on pay-per-view?
This next match will speak volumes, it speaks for itself.
Both men, unfortunately, injured in this match-up.
Both men gave it their all for sure.
[Lawler] One of the most grueling battles I've ever witnessed.
Let's take back you back to it right now.
[Mr. McMahon] Will Bret "The Hitman" Hart bow in defeat
at the man who he has never defeated before,
the British Bulldog, Davey Boy Smith?
[Lawler] I can feel it, McMahon. I can feel the electricity in the air.
Maybe that's just static cling. What is this?
Come on. Look at that.
[Mr. McMahon] Bulldog, yes, unquestionably,
he's more powerful than The Hitman. Let's give him that.
[Lawler] Yeah, he is.
I love it.
[Mr. McMahon] Just last Friday, ladies and gentlemen,
Calgary, Alberta, Canada, setting for a tremendous celebration.
Look at that, neck scissors. Both men right back up.
And drop toe-hold nicely done by The Hitman, in control of the armbar.
Last Friday, congratulations to Stu Hart, the father and the father-in-law
of the two individuals in the ring at the moment,
celebrating his 80th birthday.
Big huge birthday celebration for Stu, and Look at this maneuver.
Now, Davey Boy trying to find a way to escape.
Yank a hair and right back in control.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] I heard they wanted to put the right amount of candles
on his birthday cake, but the fire marshal wouldn't let him.
[Mr. McMahon] Can't you be kind at all during this holiday season?
Hey, come on. Come on.
[Mr. McMahon] The Bulldog backed to the corner.
Bret Hart, the excellence of execution.
He'll change his style for every single match-up
getting the best out of his opponent
and unquestionably showing that he is the best there is.
The best there was. Whoa, that's nicely done.
[Lawler] I'll give the devil his due, McMahon.
Bret Hart is a great wrestler, I got to admit it.
You said it before, he can adapt to almost any style.
But the one style he's not been able to successfully adapt to
is that of the British Bulldog.
Sure, he has his moments.
Sure, he'll look great. He'll impress everybody.
But in the end, somehow, by hook or crook,
the British Bulldog will come out of this thing
the new World Wrestling Entertainment Champion.
[Mr. McMahon] You might be right. Oh, my goodness.
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] The British Bulldog, looking pretty good and… Oh.
[Lawler] See? That's what I'm talking about.
The Hitman cannot adapt to the style of the British Bulldog.
Come on.
[Lawler] See it in a while earlier? The Hitman was--
[Mr. McMahon] Wait, wait, wait. Wait, whoa. Wait a minute.
Ladies and gentlemen, we've just been handed a note.
The Undertaker at the Royal Rumble.
We mentioned the Royal Rumble earlier on.
The Undertaker is gonna be facing the winner of this match-up.
The Undertaker will be facing the WWE Champion.
Whomever that maybe.
Get out of my face! I didn't do nothing.
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, I wish Bret Hart can get… A cover!
Two and… Oh, that was close.
[Lawler] Well, Santa just paid an early visit to The Hitman.
[Cornette] Santa's coming down his chimney a little early this year.
[Mr. McMahon] Cornette, can you imagine how obnoxious he's gonna be
if Davey Boy, once again, defeats Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
If Davey Boy becomes the WWE Champion, then it will be Davey Boy Smith,
perhaps, against The Undertaker at the WWE Royal Rumble.
[Lawler] What a match-up that would be.
But before that took place, can you imagine the queen…
[Mr. McMahon] What?
[Lawler] …would bestow knighthood on Jim Cornette.
Sir Jim, if the British Bulldog wins, take the title back to merry old England?
Wouldn't that be great?
[Mr. McMahon] With this informative note
about The Undertaker facing the WWE Champion,
I must say I'm sure that does not please Diesel at all.
"Big Daddy Cool" Diesel earlier on tonight
gesturing as though he wanted his WWE title back.
But right now, it's Bret "The Hitman" Hart, the champion.
And The Hitman wants to keep what he believes is rightfully his.
[Lawler] Oh!
Yes.
Devastating, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, a cover. One, two and--
[Lawler] Oh, cheap. Very cheap.
If that's the only way I could save a title,
I'd go ahead and hand it over.
[Mr. McMahon] What are you saying?
[Lawler] If I had to resort to putting my foot on the rope to save myself,
I'd just admit defeat.
[Mr. McMahon] Off the rope and back body drop.
A cover, two and… Again, another near-fall.
The British Bulldog coming closer and closer to, once again,
defeating Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
And a concerned look on the face of Diana.
And I, you know, sort of wonder what a night she's having,
certain misgivings about blatantly rooting for Davey Boy Smith.
-[Lawler] What do you mean "misgivings"? -[Mr. McMahon] Well…
[Lawler] Who else would she be rooting for?
[Mr. McMahon] That is her brother there, you will recall Wembley,
when, in fact, she was in the middle almost literally of all of this.
She was just happy the match was over and no one was hurt.
[Lawler] I'm just gonna tell you this,
she also knows that her brother is the reason that--
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, come on.
[Lawler] That they have probably one of the most dysfunctional families
in the entire country of Canada.
-No, I didn't pull the hair. No, no… -[Mr. McMahon] What are you talking about?
[Lawler] That Hart had created so much hatred and dissension.
And that entire Hart family is pathetic.
Come on, Hart.
Get up.
[Mr. McMahon] Jim Cornette putting a bad mouth
on Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
Davey Boy Smith now off the ropes. Tremendous tackle.
Coming off again from the other side now.
Davey Boy Smith underneath The Hitman and…
Can Bret Hart regain the momentum? Yeah.
[Lawler] Oh, no.
[Mr. McMahon] "The Hitman" Bret Hart on a roll.
[Lawler] Look at the face of Diana now.
You can tell she is not for Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
-[Mr. McMahon] Davey Boy Smith in… -[Lawler] Oh.
[Mr. McMahon] Can you imagine that the Bulldog was… One, two and…
A kick-out by Davey Boy.
"The Hitman" Bret Hart, hammering away on the British Bulldog,
setting up for the ride.
Reversal coming off the rope, back body. No, no, no.
-This is it, this is it. -[Lawler] No.
-[Mr. McMahon] This is it! -[Lawler] Hey, he learned that from me.
Bret shoots a head. Come on, Bret, cover him!
-[Lawler] That could do it. -[Mr. McMahon] One, two… Yes! No.
[Lawler] Would you quit… Would you quit blatantly rooting for Bret Hart?
[Mr. McMahon] Bret "The Hitman" Hart exemplary in every way
for the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion, no question.
Certainly, has more respect from the WWE fans. Ooh.
-And from everyone including-- -[Lawler] Oh, no.
[Mr. McMahon] Yes, and you know what's coming next.
[Lawler] I know what that means.
Cornette, better do something.
[Mr. McMahon] "The Hitman" Bret Hart and…
[Lawler] Oh!
[Mr. McMahon] Go ahead, Bret setting him up
and what's gonna happen here?
-[Lawler] Oh, no. -[Mr. McMahon] Oh, no. Not from the top.
Here we go, all the way up to the top.
Diana looking on.
No. Oh!
[Lawler] Wow!
New champion, new champion. New champion.
[Mr. McMahon] I've never seen anything like that in my life.
[Lawler] Count him out.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Wait a minute.
-[Mr. McMahon] Davey Boy. -[Lawler] He's out of the ring.
[Mr. McMahon] "The Hitman" Bret Hart.
[Lawler] Cornette, get him in the ring.
[Mr. McMahon] And The Hitman who's in big time trouble.
[Lawler] Get him in there.
[Mr. McMahon] Look at this. Oh, my goodness!
[Lawler] See, that's what's great about the Bulldog,
he'll seize the moment, he won't let The Hitman recuperate.
Drag him in the ring now and finish him off.
Yes.
[Mr. McMahon] The British Bulldog knowing full well that a countout
does not change a WWE title.
No, indeed, there must be a pin or a submission.
[Lawler] Powerslam him now, he's ready for it.
[Mr. McMahon] Outside? No!
And… Oh!
-[Lawler] Boom! -[Mr. McMahon] No. Into the ring post!
Davey Boy Smith ramming his brother-in-law into the ring post.
[Lawler] Go ahead and admit it, McMahon,
my powers of prognostication are phenomenal.
I told you we'd have a new champion here in the… Oh.
[Mr. McMahon] What's this? Oh!
And Bret Hart into the railing.
And I'm not so certain that Bret Hart has not been completely…
[Lawler] He's busted wide open, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] Unfortunately…
Unfortunately, Bret Hart is…
And the official might wanna stop this right now.
Oh!
[Lawler] He went right into that ring post with his head.
[Mr. McMahon] And the official taking a good look at the cut,
which he's been unable to see.
We've seen the result of it.
And… Oh, no.
Oh, no!
And… Oh!
-[Mr. McMahon] One, two, and three. No. -[Lawler] Got him.
[Mr. McMahon] No, no.
And Diana just probably concerned right by the willpower of her brother.
But the official is right there.
There's a doctor in attendance as well. And, oh, no. Look at this.
Davey Boy! Oh!
Cover! We have a new champion, two, and…
No, that's almost the count of three.
[Lawler] She's not concerned about The Hitman, she just…
[Mr. McMahon] Hey, wait a minute.
Let's please if we can, keep our cameras wide.
We do not need any close-ups of what's going on with Bret Hart.
And, oh, my goodness.
[Lawler] Oh, my, God.
[Mr. McMahon] Oh. And Bret Hart is being pummeled.
And the official should stop it.
He should stop right it now. Two! Almost a count of three.
[Lawler] I'll agree with you, McMahon.
He should stop it and award the World Wrestling Entertainment title
to the British Bulldog. Shouldn't he?
Isn't that what he should do? Admit it.
-Where's Monsoon when you need him? -[Mr. McMahon] Yes. As a matter of fact…
I think you're right.
-Bret Hart obviously… -[Lawler] He is in no condition.
[Mr. McMahon] …on his own… I guess you can say…
The official is there and he's letting him go.
Oh, no.
[Lawler] This is great. Look at this. I mean, I'm telling you…
[Mr. McMahon] Davey Boy is going for the cover.
Two and three. No, no, no.
[Lawler] You gotta admit, Davey Boy is like Mike Tyson, he's going in.
I mean, you know, he senses it, he smells it, and he's not letting up.
Boy, I think he's hurt his leg.
He hurt his knee when he came up at the top, McMahon.
Here we go.
[Mr. McMahon] Oh, no. A submission.
A Bow and Arrow submission on the part of Bret Hart.
-[Lawler] Give up, Hitman. -[Mr. McMahon] And look at that.
-Wait a minute. -[Lawler] What?
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. McMahon] No. Bret Hart almost had the Sharpshooter
on Davey Boy Smith, the British Bulldog, almost.
And Bret "The Hitman" Hart severely fatigued.
And this match has turned into mess. Off the rope now.
The British Bulldog at Bret Hart. Oh, no.
All the way to the outside, and again, right into the railing.
And the British Bulldog…
[Lawler] Go ahead, ref, stop it.
[Mr. McMahon] Now, why didn't… The official should stop the match.
[Lawler] The Hitman is in no condition to continue. Look at him.
[Mr. McMahon] I've never seen Bret Hart in this shape ever.
Stop the match, stop it.
[Lawler] You want me to go up there and stop it?
[Mr. McMahon] I don't want you to do anything.
[Lawler] Look at The Hitman. Please let him get a close-up of that.
[Mr. McMahon] And Diana concerned as well.
She should be as well and everyone should be.
But Bret Hart! Bret Hart!
-No! -[Lawler] No.
[Mr. McMahon] And Bret Hart almost, just when you completely counted him out,
Bret almost pulled off a miracle.
Bret almost pinned Davey Boy.
And Davey Boy off the ropes, Bret Hart now…
Oh, both men down.
Both men clotheslined.
[Lawler] Bret Hart's his own worst enemy.
Every time he shows, he reaches down there and gets that little flurry,
that makes the referee not stop the match.
The Hitman ought to realize this could be the end of his career
if doesn't let the referee stop.
-[crowd cheering] -[Lawler] Shut up, you idiots.
Get up, Davey.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Bret! Let's go, Bret! Let's go, Bret!
-[Mr. McMahon] Look out, Davey. -[crowd cheering]
Davey, what's wrong? Come on.
[Mr. McMahon] And Jim Cornette coming around,
trying to encourage Davey Boy Smith to get back in.
His chance at the WWE title. Oh, look at this!
[Lawler] Bret Hart has gone crazy.
[Mr. McMahon] Bret is just hammering away.
[Lawler] He doesn't even know where he's at, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] And Bret "The Hitman" Hart could very well be wrestling…
-[Lawler] Look at it. Look at that. -[Mr. McMahon] Now, wait a minute.
-Oh, no. And caught. -[Lawler] He caught him.
[Mr. McMahon] And caught by the British Bulldog.
Powerslam.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] What is he gonna do?
[Mr. McMahon] Davey Boy Smith
pulling out one little bit of protective padding there is
on the outside of the ring.
[Lawler] He'll slam him on the concrete floor?
[Mr. McMahon] This is over. I've seen… No.
Bret trying to block it.
And again, up goes… Oh!
And a clothesline, the British Bulldog down.
This match has gotten way out of hand.
[Lawler] Come on, Bulldog. Come on, he's getting his strength back.
[Mr. McMahon] Bret Hart with the British Bulldog.
What can he do with him now?
The Hitman wrestling on instinct.
The cover, oh, he got him.
No, he didn't. No, he didn't.
[Lawler] Bret Hart cannot beat the British Bulldog.
He can't do it.
[Mr. McMahon] The British Bulldog,
every bit as resilient as Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
Neither man will quit.
What we'll give here tonight In Your House in this grueling WWE Championship match.
Oh. Oh, no.
Bouncing off the canvas on his head.
That's how much this WWE title means to The Hitman.
And just how much Davey Boy Smith wants it.
It means everything.
Oh, no.
[Lawler] The Bulldog set up for the top.
[Mr. McMahon] Bret Hart going all the way up!
Bret Hart with Davey Boy Smith and…
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Careers are riding on this, McMahon.
[Mr. McMahon] Hitman turns over.
Here's the cover. Come on, ref.
And one, two, he got…
No! Oh, wow.
What is it gonna take? What's it gonna take for someone… No.
Oh, hold up. That is it. No.
One, two… Oh.
[Lawler] Bret Hart even resorted to pulling the Bulldog's tights
and still couldn't win.
[Mr. McMahon] Shades of Wembley Stadium.
-And look… Oh, no. -[Lawler] Wow! Bret Hart.
[Mr. McMahon] The British Bulldog, in a match-up that no matter who wins
will always be remembered by WWE fans all over the world.
The Bulldog in the corner stunned.
And Bret Hart unrelenting, just won't let him.
Bulldog to the right, no, reversal.
And, oh, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] That foot caught him right under the chin.
That could do it.
No one is moving.
[Mr. McMahon] Both men are spent.
Nonetheless, they continue to come at each other.
[Lawler] Oh, no.
[Mr. McMahon] Wait a minute. One, two… Finally!
-[Lawler] No! -[bell dings]
[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Unbelievable.
[announcer] …champion, Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
[Mr. McMahon] Diana cannot believe.
She cannot believe that her husband
has been defeated by her brother, Bret "The Hitman" Hart,
ladies and gentlemen.
Apparently, now, he'll go to the Royal Rumble
and face The Undertaker.
We certainly hope you have enjoyed this unprecedented pay-per-view footage
over the last several weeks in Raw, however, the Royal Rumble matches
will be shown exclusively only on pay-per-view upcoming.
And speaking of that, here is The Undertaker.
There are countless numbers of times my Undertaker's creatures of the night
have asked Paul Bearer
when will The Undertaker get a chance at the WWE Championship?
Well, my friends, it's time.
Bret Hart, you were a grand and glorious champion.
But now, it's out of my hands.
The creatures of the night have spoken
and I do intend to deliver.
[Mr. McMahon] And so does the World Wrestling Entertainment.
Congratulations, Kathy Schreck from Chicago, Illinois, 24-years-old.
Winner of the Royal Rumble Sweepstakes.
Yes, her favorite wrestler is The Undertaker.
Her mom's favorite wrestler by the way is The Bad Guy.
[Lawler] Yeah. And her grandma's favorite is Bret Hart.
I bet Kathy's entry form was marked, "You may already be a loser."
[Mr. McMahon] Three generations is going to the Rumble.
Congratulations, Kathy.
[Lawler] Yeah. And I'm gonna be winning that Rumble.
All right. Ladies and gentlemen,
I surely hope you enjoyed all of the action this week on Raw.
And now, next week, imagine this if you would.
You got The Undertaker one-on-one
with the man who hopes to do a little extraction.
We're talking about, of course, Isaac Yankem.
That's right.
Isaac Yankem DDS, has promised me personally
that next week, I will see The Undertaker's teeth
rolling around on that mat like a bunch of chickens.
-[laughs] Pow! -Wow, all that.
Plus in action, The Ringmaster, the Million Dollar Champion.
[Lawler] Yeah. And Marty Jannetty takes on Owen Hart.
[Mr. McMahon] And right now, here comes Billionaire Ted's bombshell.
Okay, guys, we need a new slogan for our Wrasslin' show.
How about "Uncut, Uncensored, Uncooked"?
No. We've already stolen that one.
How about ripping off "Unbelievable"?
You know like, "Not Believable."
Yeah. Like, "Ted's Wrasslin' is Not Believable."
Boys, this is no time to start telling the truth.
We really need something original this time.
How about "This is Where the Good Old Boys Play"?
Or even just "The Old Boys Play"?
Who you calling old, brother?
What did I just tell you, guys?
This is no time to start telling the truth.
Yes, Nacho Man?
Let's lie. How about, "This is Where the Big Boys Play"?
Yeah.
I like that.
It's just dishonest enough to work.
What if all our stars have to take a legitimate drug test for steroids?
You don't have to worry about that, brother,
'cause we're not in the WWE anymore.
Yes. That's, uh… This is Where the Big Boys Play.
[narrator] The New WWE Generation, there's nothing old or unofficial here.