[presenter] In over 100 countries, in seven different languages
to more than a half billion viewers each week,
the World Wrestling Entertainment,
the worldwide leader in sports entertainment.
-[crowd cheering] -[beeping]
Just go ahead and bring your little camera here, son.
Royal Rumble's rolling around
and the word in the locker room
is that everybody's gunning for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Uh-uh. That's not gonna work.
Steve Austin strikes first, and that's the bottom line.
You see, everybody in that damn locker room's got a pager.
And everybody that's looked at that pager sees the 3:16, so their ass belongs to me.
-[woman squealing] -Steve Austin is gonna do unto others
before they do unto him.
So, set your little channels, sit your ass back,
don't touch the dial because Steve Austin's gonna raise hell
as only Steve Austin could raise hell, and that's it.
Get your ass out of here.
[siren wailing]
[explosions]
["Thorn In Your Eye" playing]
♪ Too much dark And not enough sky ♪
♪ Why am I the thorn in your eye ♪
-[crowd cheering] -[fireworks exploding]
["Thorn In Your Eye" playing]
[JR] On a cold New England night,
we are red hot in the sold out New Haven Connecticut Coliseum
for the first Raw is War 1998,
on a night that we will hear
about Mike Tyson's participation at WrestleMania XIV.
♪ Nation of Domination ♪
[Cole] And here comes Faarooq, the leader of The Nation of Domination,
flanked on his left by D-Lo Brown, on his right by Kama Mustafa.
The Nation have had some problems in the past of couple weeks
-with Ken Shamrock, Kevin Kelly. -[Kelly] That's right.
Faarooq to take on Ken Shamrock, but these two men are no strangers.
September 15th, that maneuver right there,
that spinebuster, caused hemorrhaging inside of Ken Shamrock,
a punctured lung among various other internal injuries.
And certainly, Ken Shamrock knows the power of Faarooq all too well.
[Cole] Faarooq set for one-on-one action
with "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock.
Faarooq was volunteered for this match-up by The Rock.
["The Ultimate" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent, from Sacramento, California,
weighing in at 243 pounds,
"The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock!
[Cole] Ken Shamrock's made it a habit
of causing The Nation members to tap out, JR.
[JR] No doubt about the fact that Ken Shamrock, in my view,
is a future WWE champion.
Last week, making the awesome Kama Mustafa tap out.
And The World's Most Dangerous Man and Faarooq
-are ready to hook it up here on Raw. -[bell rings]
[Cole] Here's Faarooq now, the 270-pounder from Georgia
going to work on Ken Shamrock.
Both of these men will be participating
in the 30-Man Over-The-Top-Rope Royal Rumble match on January 18th,
less than two weeks away,
Shamrock with a big right and left hand out to the abdomen of Faarooq.
And a big standing dropkick.
And a clothesline! Faarooq out of the ring.
-[crowd cheering] -[JR] Well, as Faarooq goes outside,
he'll be consoled by D-Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa.
But you gotta wonder where the undisputed Intercontinental Champion is,
another member of The Nation, The Rock.
[Kelly] Yeah, the man who made the match for Faarooq, nowhere to be seen.
[Cole] Shamrock brings Faarooq in the hard way.
Here's the first cover of the match. There's two.
But Faarooq kicks out.
[Kelly] And we all know that The Rock is here.
We've all seen him in the locker room area tonight.
He's not at ringside right now.
[Cole] Shamrock backs Faarooq into the ropes now. Wins the…
No, here's a reversal by Faarooq.
Shamrock off the ropes, ducks under.
Nice move by Ken Shamrock, but he could be in trouble here.
And what a reversal by Faarooq!
[JR] Real good Samoan drop there
and a counter by the former two-time football All-American
for Bobby Bowden's Florida State Seminoles, Faarooq.
And Faarooq, at least in my view,
is the toughest member of the entire Nation of Domination.
And that kick was right in the kidneys.
[Cole] The small of the back of Ken Shamrock.
The World's Most Dangerous Man in trouble.
And he could be in a lot of trouble now outside the ring.
[Kelly] We highlighted at the top of the contest,
the internal injuries caused by Faarooq the first time these two Superstars met.
That boot to the ribcage exploded throughout this arena.
[JR] Faarooq has hurt a lot of tough men in the WWE
since Faarooq has been competing here.
Of course, Ahmed Johnson and Ken Shamrock
will certainly be at the top of that injury list.
And Shamrock is certainly not out of the fire here.
-The martial arts expert-- -[Cole] Look out! Here's a rollover now.
There's two! Almost three, but Faarooq kicked out.
And caught Shamrock with a big clothesline.
[Kelly] Great presence of mind despite the injuries suffered.
[Cole] Cover by Faarooq. There's two!
But Shamrock kicks out.
[JR] Well, I'll tell you one thing, this 1998 version of the Royal Rumble
is gonna be so, so special. And the Royal Rumble match itself,
we know that Ken Shamrock was the first man
to enter the Royal Rumble.
-[crowd jeering] -[Cole] Uh-oh.
Well, there he is, the Intercontinental Champion, The Rock.
Folks, we gotta take a break. What's gonna happen? Raw will continue.
[Cole] Welcome back to Raw. Faarooq is in control of Ken Shamrock.
Desperation move by Shamrock. Backslide. There's two!
Oh, but Faarooq kicked out.
And the leader of The Nation of Domination remains in firm control.
[JR] And The Rock has called D-Lo Brown and Kama Mustafa together for a little…
for a huddle.
Perhaps some strategy being discussed, as far as this match is concerned,
at least that's our guess.
[Cole] "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock in trouble,
not only in the ring with Faarooq, but outside the ring.
It's actually four-on-one in this match-up.
[Kelly] And all four members of The Nation of Domination
are entered in the 30-man Royal Rumble match.
And certainly, if the luck of the draw favors The Nation of Domination, JR,
I've gotta like at least one of their chances
-getting all the way to the end. -[JR] 30 men will enter the Royal Rumble,
two men will start, another enters every two minutes,
until all 30 have entered the ring.
But there can only be one winner, folks.
And that winner of the Royal Rumble match will meet the WWE Champion
at WrestleMania XIV, no doubt.
It's the most exciting 60 minutes on pay-per-view.
And remember, the Royal Rumble happens only once a year.
[Cole] Look at the strength by Faarooq. He is firmly in control here.
Ken Shamrock in all kinds of trouble.
Here's the cover, hooks the leg.
But Shamrock with the wherewithal to get his leg on the bottom rope.
[Kelly] Faarooq has maintained the pressure on Shamrock.
He has not let The World's Most Dangerous Man
regain his vertical base. He's contained his power.
[JR] I tell you what, as much as I am impressed by Ken Shamrock,
I do believe Shamrock will be a future WWE Champion,
never underestimate the athleticism of Faarooq.
He's gotta be the most honored amateur athlete
currently competing in the World Wrestling Entertainment,
a guy who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy ballot.
[Cole] Shamrock now measuring… I should say, Faarooq measuring Shamrock.
There's a hurricanrana by Shamrock! What a desperation move.
[Kelly] But the ribcage, the ribs are still injured.
[Cole] Shamrock, now, trying to gain momentum.
[JR] You do not want Shamrock to snap if you are Faarooq
or a member of The Nation of Domination.
Shamrock can become an animal,
and he can become an animal in a heartbeat.
[Cole] Faarooq, though, with a rake of the eyes.
Hammers away now at Ken Shamrock in the corner.
[Kelly] Kama's got a chair in his hand.
[Cole] Look out right to the left of us. Kama Mustafa has picked up a chair.
[JR] Rocky getting close. See this. Course, The Rock
will defend his Intercontinental Title at the Royal Rumble against Shamrock.
[Cole] Reversal now. Oh, no!
Faarooq hit the chair as Rocky directed traffic.
There's the suplex by Shamrock! This could be it!
Into the ankle lock submission hold!
Will Faarooq give in?
Yes, he does!
Three for three against The Nation for Ken Shamrock!
[announcer] Here is your winner, "The World's Most Dangerous Man"
Ken Shamrock!
[JR] Well, there's absolutely no shame in submitting to the ankle lock
of "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock.
I gotta believe that the game plan has backfired big time for The Nation.
The Rock's coaching has bit him in the keister.
[arguing indistinctly]
[Kelly] Some heated words there between Kama and Faarooq.
[Cole] Look out. The Rock now in the ring.
Could this be a preview of the Intercontinental Title match
at the Royal Rumble?
The Rock will put the belt on the line against Shamrock,
but they may get it on right here tonight.
[JR] It looks like The Rock's getting ready for a fight here.
And that's what you have any time you get face to face with Ken Shamrock.
He's too near. Oh, wait a minute!
[crowd cheering]
-[Cole] That's Stone Cold. -[Kelly] Oh!
Austin Stunner!
[JR] Austin with a stunner on Shamrock!
Austin with a stunner on The Rock!
[Cole] I don't believe this! Where did he come from?
The Texas Rattlesnake out of control, heading out through the crowd!
He just Stunned The Rock and Shamrock!
[JR] And the one thing they all have in common,
they'll all be in the Royal Rumble match-up,
January 18th in San Jose!
[Cole] Folks, let's take a look at what happened at the end of this match-up.
[Kelly] Faarooq was on his way to victory.
The plan was in place, but it backfired.
The belly-to-belly and, then, the ankle lock submission!
[JR] And, then, here come The Rattlesnake, first striking Ken Shamrock
and, then, shocking the world
-when he gave a Stunner to The Rock. -[Cole] Unbelievable.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is out of control.
If you think this is unreal, folks, you ain't seen nothing yet.
We understand there could trouble brewing in purgatory,
Kane and Paul Bearer having all kinds of problems
even to the extent that Kane may have left Paul Bearer.
Paul Bearer will be here, right here tonight, to explain.
[Kelly] Plus, Owen Hart will go one-on-one against Savio Vega.
And not only will Owen have to contend with the other Boricuas around ringside
but DX is in the house, as well. And that could bode trouble
for the man many feel should be WWE Champion.
[JR] But wait till you see the highlights of the hell
The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels went through to get to the Casket Match
at the Royal Rumble.
It's a first for broadcast television.
This graphic footage is still to come.
[Cole] And speaking of Shawn Michaels, the WWE Champion is determined to call out
The Undertaker right here tonight.
[Kelly] But still to come, he's the baron of boxing,
the monarch of magnificence. Tonight, the imperial prince of pugilism, Don King,
discusses negotiations with Vince McMahon right here on Raw is War.
And what's this? James E. Cornette escorting two gentlemen to the ring.
Who are these guys?
[Cole] Folks, we'll find out when we come back.
We gotta take a break. Raw is War will continue.
[presenter] Their last encounter was pure Hell in a Cell.
[JR] I have never seen anything like this in my life!
This is not a pretty sight. We knew it wouldn't be.
[presenter] This time, hell will be a safer place.
-[JR] No, no, no, no, no! -[Lawler] Oh, my God!
[presenter] The Undertaker!
[The Undertaker] You better give your soul to the Lord,
because the rest of your scrawny [bleep] will belong to me.
[presenter] Shawn Michaels!
[Shawn] The Heartbreak Kid does not rest in peace.
He can stay up all night!
[presenter] The Casket Match!
The WWE Royal Rumble live January 18th on pay-per-view!
[Kelly] Tonight, WWE Raw is brought to you by the US Army.
Look for the Army hyperlink on the WWE AOL site
to find out where you can be all you can be.
[Cole] Welcome back to WWE Raw, everybody.
Ladies and gentlemen, I don't wanna interrupt here
but, you see, a lot of you may have seen my commentary last week on Raw
where I said, There needs to be more respect
for tradition of wrestling in the WWE.
There needs to be more respect
for some real good old fashioned competition in the WWE.
So, being as nobody else was gonna do anything about it,
I decided to take matters into my own hands.
And at great personal expense to myself,
I have flown these two gentlemen to be here tonight.
I'd like to introduce Mr. Howard Brody and Mr. Dennis Coralluzzo.
They are, respectively, the president and vice president
of the NWA, the National Wrestling Alliance.
[crowd jeering]
The NWA is the oldest and, at one time, was the largest
governing and sanctioning body for professional wrestling
anywhere in the world.
The NWA numbers among its past champions,
men like Lou Thesz, Jack Brisco, Harley Race, a lot of great names.
And the NWA stands for tradition.
And that's why I've asked these men to be here,
and they have generously and graciously offered
to anoint the winner of the next contest
as the NWA North American Heavyweight Champion.
And, at this point, I would like to introduce the contestants
for this prestigious title.
First, a man who is one of the great math technicians of all time,
he's a second-generation athlete,
a former NWA Champion,
Barry Windham!
[JR] You notice that Jim Cornette didn't call him Blackjack Windham.
Certainly, in Windham's heyday in the NWA,
he was known as Barry Windham, a young man that was deemed for stardom
in his rookie year by my good friend, Gordon Solie.
And I'd like to introduce his opponent, also a second-generation athlete.
He hails from the great state of Tennessee.
He is a 12-year veteran in the sport of wrestling,
and he is the self-proclaimed
"World's Greatest Wrestler" Jeff Jarrett!
[Kelly] Let me see if I get this straight, an NWA title is going to be
awarded to the winner of a contest
in the World Wrestling Entertainment on Raw?
Is this not sitting well with anybody else?
[JR] Listen, I find it a little bit strange,
but you never know what's gonna happen in the World Wrestling Entertainment.
We certainly don't know what'll happen in this match.
Looks like we're gonna be joined by The Louisville Lip himself momentarily.
[Cornette] Hey, hey, hey! Is this thing on?
-Is this working? -[Cole] You're on.
[Cornette] Does anybody think that Jim Cornette doesn't deliver, huh?
If I tell you a rooster can pull a box car, brother, hook it up.
When I promise something, I deliver it.
[Cole] So this match will be for the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship.
[Cornette] You got that right, a good old fashioned wrestling match.
We got some competition here tonight, boys.
We're gonna see some great athletes. Barry Windham,
he, at one time, was one of the great single wrestlers in his profession.
He had a knee injury, was out of the sport for a while.
Then, he's concentrated on tag team matches.
But I've seen him dominate men like Ric Flair and Harley Race.
And you have, too, JR.
[JR] Yeah, it's been a long time since I called an NWA match.
-[Cornette] Oh, yes, sir! -[JR] A good arm drag by Jeff Jarrett.
Of course, Jarrett, the 30-year-old, 12-year veteran.
He and Windham have something in common, they're both second-generation stars.
[Cornette] Yes, Jeff Jarrett's father was a wrestler and promoter for 30 years.
He's got wrestling tradition in his blood.
[Cole] Jeff Jarrett to the left,
there is Blackjack Windham in the black tights to the right,
as we get underway with action in this match-up.
So, Jim, what you're saying is, this is the original National Wrestling Alliance,
the real thing, the NWA,
-not a bogus promotion. -[Cornette] That's right, Michael.
In addition to the NWA being the oldest and, at one time,
the largest governing and sanctioning body of wrestling anywhere in the world,
they can trace their championship,
they can trace their lineage all the way back to 1905,
and Frank Gotch, when he was the World Heavyweight Champion.
As a matter of fact, farther back than that,
there's a direct correlation to William Muldoon in 1877.
And if you go back farther, in 1848, the Illinois state wrestling champion
was Abraham Lincoln,
which proves that the NWA has a link
to the 16th President of the United States of America.
[Kelly] Don't ever play six degrees of separation with the NWA with Cornette.
[Cornette] Hey, you can't argue with logic. I'm just quoting facts here.
[Cole] Windham in control now. Reversal by Jarrett.
Blackjack Windham on the ropes.
Oh, but he grabs Jarrett. High in the air now.
Look at the strength of Blackjack Windham, the 273-pounder from Sweetwater, Texas.
[Kelly] Well, Mr. Cornette, are NWA rules in effect?
Is it an over-the-top-rope disqualification?
[Cornette] Well, I don't know whether the WWE official here,
Tim White, I don't know whether he knows the NWA rules or not.
As far as I'm concerned, he should--
[Cole] There's a cover! There's two!
Jarrett gets the left shoulder up.
[Cornette] That's what I've been missing, JR,
good old fashioned rough, rugged competition.
[JR] I'm just wondering what your motivation is in this.
I hate to start an argument here, but I gotta suspect,
there may be some financial rewards down the road for you
-if this thing all materializes. -[Cornette] No! Lemme tell you something--
[JR] Here's another cover now. There's two.
Jarrett gets that right shoulder up again.
[Cornette] See, that's what I wanna see. I love wrestling,
good old fashioned wrestling.
I wanna bring the sport in wrestling back.
I wanna bring good, hard, rugged competition.
And I'll tell you something right now, as much as I hate to say it,
I believe Barry Windham has controlled this match so far.
I hate to cast aspersions on a man
from the great state of Tennessee, like Jeff Jarrett,
but I think that Windham is looking pretty good here so far.
[Cole] Windham now.
Oh! And a slam to the middle of the canvas.
This could be over right here.
There's two! But Jarrett, again, gets the shoulder up.
[Cornette] You know, that count was slow, too.
Not only does this WWE official not know the NWA rules,
but I don't even think he can count right.
-[Cole] Jarrett whipped off the ropes. -[Cornette] The lariat!
This could be it!
-We could have our first champion. -[JR] Jarrett's in big trouble here!
[Cornette] Here's the cover. Two!
[Cole] Jarrett got the leg onto the rope.
[Cornette] This referee definitely needs some instruction.
What… Why is… Oh, hold on, I'll be…
[Kelly] What? Where is he going now?
Why is Coralluzzo in the referee's face?
[JR] Oh, wait a minute. Look out.
[Kelly] Cornette's wandering in the ring with that racket. Look out!
Oh!
Cornette with a shot that you could hear all the way to Hartford.
[crowd booing]
Jeff Jarrett, can he capitalize here?
Rolls over on top of Blackjack Windham.
-There's two. It's over! -[bell rings]
Ladies and gentlemen, the winner,
and new NWA North American Heavyweight Champion,
Jeff Jarrett!
[Cole] Can you say "collusion"?
Jeff Jarrett, the NWA North American Heavyweight Champion
with the assist to James E. Cornette.
[crowd jeering]
[Kelly] These two well-dressed individuals now awarding the championship belt.
[JR] Howard Brody and Dennis Coralluzzo in the ring,
NWA officials, awarding Jarrett the NWA North American Heavyweight Title.
That surely makes my good friend, Dick Murdoch, roll over in his own grave.
He was a former champion, as well.
[Cole] Let's take a look at what happened at the end of this match-up.
Barry Windham was in control. And, then, Cornette comes in
and drilled with a tennis racket.
I gotta say, something doesn't smell right in this whole deal.
But there's the champion, proud as he may be.
[JR] And there's the strut we've become accustomed to by Jeff Jarrett.
-[Kelly] Uh-oh. Oh, no! -[JR] Look out! Look out!
-He's back. -[Kelly] Oh, no!
[JR] The Rattlesnake is here!
-Austin is in the ring! -[Kelly] Look out, champ!
[Cole] Austin!
[crowd cheering]
The stunner by Austin! The strut by Austin!
The Rattlesnake just struck again!
[Kelly] Jarrett's in the Rumble! Jarrett's in the Rumble!
-Oh, here he comes! -[JR] Get outta here!
[crowd cheering]
Stone Cold is out of control! He has a chair! This crowd is going wild!
[Cole] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, perhaps, keeping his promise.
He said anybody who's in the Rumble is a marked man. It could happen tonight.
Let's take a look at what happened after Jarrett was crowned
the NWA North American Heavyweight Champion.
[JR] Austin keeping his promise to do unto other before they do unto you.
And the Rattlesnake has struck.
But I got a feeling that Jeff Jarrett
will not be the last of Austin's victims here tonight.
[Cole] Jarrett doesn't look like much of a champion there.
And, folks, when the WWE is live, anything can happen!
[crowd cheering]
Still to come, is Paul Bearer grieving over the possible loss of Kane?
Paul Bearer is here tonight. He'll explain.
[JR] And we know Shawn Michaels is determined
to get into The Undertaker's face tonight. And we'll also show you exclusive footage.
The last time Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker met
in the Hell in a Cell match-up.
It's exclusive, it's graphic, and it's here tonight.
[Kelly] He's a success story that could happen only in America.
Tonight, the imperial czar, Don King,
fills us in on Mike Tyson and WrestleMania XIV.
[Cole] 1-800-COLLECT proudly presents the 1998 WWE Royal Rumble live,
one week from Sunday, exclusively on pay-per-view.
1-800-COLLECT, the easy way to save.
[Kelly] Perhaps, to answer a plot against him at the 1998 Royal Rumble,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin is, tonight, on a mission to try to eliminate everyone
before they can even get into the ring.
[JR] I'll tell you one thing, the Royal Rumble match
is getting very interesting.
[Cole] And standing by, Ken Shamrock.
And, Ken, not withstanding your Intercontinental Title Match
with The Rock at the Royal Rumble,
what are your thoughts on what happened earlier tonight
with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin?
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Royal Rumble,
you're a marked man, I'm a marked man.
And there's nothing more than I'd like to see
is to get rid of those 28 other guys,
and have you and me,
man-to-man, eye-to-eye.
Let's get it on, Stone Cold.
♪ I'm only woman ♪
[Cole] So, Ken Shamrock, the first man
to enter the 30-Man Over-The-Top-Rope Royal Rumble Match-Up,
beginning after D-Generation X: In Your House
back in December, after losing to Shawn Michaels.
[Kelly] And January 19th on pay-per-view, folks.
♪ I know that you want my love ♪
[Cole] That's January 18th, San Jose, California,
exclusively on pay-per-view, 7:00 Eastern, 4:00 Pacific.
30-Man Over-The-Top-Rope Royal Rumble Match.
[JR] I know you are excited seeing Sunny out here.
The date is Sunday, January the 18th. It's on pay-per-view, and in San Jose.
And, remember, that Royal Rumble match-up, 30 men will enter.
Two men start, another enters every two minutes
until all 30 have entered the ring.
But there can only be one winner. And that winner, folks,
will meet the WWE Champion, whomever that may be, at WrestleMania XIV.
Without a doubt, it's the most exciting 60 minutes on pay-per-view,
and it happens only once a year.
Well, tonight, in Truth's girl-girl fashion,
I'd like to introduce to you this next match.
First, representing The Truth Commission,
weighing a total combined weight of 608 pounds,
we have Sniper and Recon.
[Cole] The Truth Commission led by the rather interesting Jackyl.
There he is.
[JR] Kurrgan, the seven-foot, 350-pounder who is not here, at least at this time,
has entered the Royal Rumble match representing The Truth Commission.
All three members of the DOA will be at the Royal Rumble match.
And can you imagine the fireworks in that Royal Rumble match
when Stone Cold and Ken Shamrock go face-to-face?
And accompanied to the ring by Jackyl!
-["Reconciliation" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The Jackyl, the leader of The Truth Commission,
also the leader of "The Interrogator" Kurrgan.
And their opponents, from Orlando, Florida,
weighing a total combined weight of 618 pounds,
Skull and 8-Ball.
[Cole] Skull and 8-Ball, along with Chainz from the DOA,
will be a part of the Royal Rumble match on January 18th.
[Kelly] And like the point I made about The Nation Of Domination,
if the luck of the draw falls the way of the DOA,
all three men could find themselves in the ring at the same time
right at the crucial endpoint of the Royal Rumble match-up.
[JR] It's every man for himself, no doubt about it.
And the stakes could not be any higher, a guarantee to be in the main event
at the WrestleMania XIV against the WWE Champion.
[Cole] The Truth Commission set to lock up here with DOA.
[JR] We're underway!
And we're now being joined by The Jackyl.
[Jackyl] You may have noticed yet another convert
on my way to ringside, JR,
a lovely young lady who's been saved from a life of ignorance and mendacity.
[JR] Yeah, well, that's your opinion.
[Kelly] Perhaps, the emphasis should be on the word "con," Jackyl.
You know, all the great leaders of the world
have been subject to this type of a thing.
It's just because once you people realize that you are all followers,
that you are all sheep,
you have to strike out and lash out at people like me.
[Cole] 8-Ball from DOA, now, going to work on Recon from The Truth Commission.
Where is Kurrgan this evening?
[Jackyl] Kurrgan is never far away. I am the alpha and the omega of his life,
and he could be here in a split instant, if need be.
[Cole] Kurrgan "The Interrogator."
Here's Recon now, goes to work on Skull from DOA.
Recon firmly in control. Whip across the ring.
Uh-oh, look out, nobody home.
Recon. Oh, he hit his back on the apron of the ring.
-[Jackyl laughing] -[JR] Find that humorous?
[Jackyl] Well, you know what I find very humorous is the fact
that this man will literally to do anything he's gotta do to make me happy.
You wanna know why?
Because I did what you and everyone else here at the WWE couldn't,
I made him.
And it's driving all of you crazy.
[Cole] Speaking of Kurrgan, we understand he will be a part of the Royal Rumble,
January 18th, in San Jose.
[Jackyl] He'll be the only part of it where he throws 29 men out.
[Cole] What a move that time by 8-Ball.
[JR] Another thing brought to our attention is this Saturday,
on Shotgun Saturday Night, you'll be stepping in the ring.
in one-on-one competition.
Give us a little scouting report on your athletic ability,
if at all it exists.
JR, we all know that I can do every job here in the WWE, including yours.
Now, I'm gonna prove that I'm also a fantastic wrestler,
and it should be to the surprise of no one.
[Cole] Recon in some trouble. Oh!
[Jackyl] I never wanted the violence, but you people have asked for it,
so I'm gonna give it to you.
[Cole] The Truth Commission, two-on-one outside the ring.
Now, DOA is in all kinds of trouble.
[Jackyl laughs]
-[JR] Look out here, look out. -[Cole] Oh!
[Cole] Sniper pounding away!
[Kelly] We noticed that you constantly wave the peace sign around
and, yet, you preach violence.
No, I wave the peace sign because I don't want the violence.
But you people have brought it to me
and, now, there's a revolution.
It was supposed to be a charismatic conversion revolution
but, now, it's gonna be a revolution of blood
because you people have begged me for it.
[Kelly] So, you're blaming the WWE
for the destruction that Sniper, Recon, and Kurrgan have brought forth?
[Jackyl] I'm blaming them for that and everything else bad
that's gonna happen here in the next few months.
[Cole] What a slam that time by Sniper.
And here comes Recon from The Truth Commission.
Move him out further. Move him out further.
[JR] We're seeing some great teamwork here.
[Jackyl] Watch highspot come off the top here. He loves this.
He'll do anything to make me happy.
[Cole] Recon up on the top rope. Halfway across the ring!
But DOA moves out of the way! Eight-Ball, now,
-really needs to make a tag! -[JR] You're happy about that move?
[Jackyl] Well, you know, I'm fascinated by the lengths to which this man'll go.
He told me he wanted to be a star, and I said, "Just listen to me."
[JR] Oh, look out! Here comes 8-Ball now. DOA cleaning house!
Scoop slam!
Recon in trouble! Another slam.
[Jackyl] I tell you what, These bikers are two big, impressive individuals.
I know 'em first-hand, 'cause they've had their greasy, filthy, stinky hands on me.
[Cole] Oh! High slam that time. Here's the cover.
There's one. Oh, but a save by Recon.
[Jackyl] As bad as these bikers are,
the one thing that Recon and Sniper fear is my disappointment.
And here we go. The sky is about to fall.
[Cole] And there he is, Kurrgan "The Interrogator".
Seven-foot, 350-plus pounds.
Here's the cover by DOA!
It's over. The Disciples of Apocalypse victorious over your Truth Commission.
[Jackyl] It's not over yet, because watch what happens
because of Kurrgan as the military arm of my political revolution.
[Cole] DOA, now, pounding away at Kurrgan "The Interrogator,"
but Kurrgan refuses to go down!
And, now, The Truth Commission from behind. It's three-on-two.
-[crowd jeering] -[Cole] Look at the size of this Kurrgan.
I mean, 8-Ball and Skull, each about 6'8,
Kurrgan towers over them.
He'll be the biggest man in the Royal Rumble.
[Cole] The Royal Rumble, January 18th in San Jose.
30-Man Over-The-Top-Rope.
And here's the Paralyzer! The Claw now from Kurrgan!
[Jackyl] This is something that I brought to the WWE,
and this is something he will…
We'll be here all night unless I go up there.
Then, JR, I think I'll camp out here with you for a while.
[JR] I suggest you go up there and stop this carnage.
-Enough is enough. -JR, just for you.
[Cole] Officials are entering the ring.
[Kelly] The enormous hand of Kurrgan, the finger sunk deep with that Paralyzer.
Whoa! I mean, he drilled him.
Jackyl, seemingly, the only man who can control Kurrgan "The Interrogator,"
the seven-foot, 350-pound monster.
Who is going to toss him over the top rope
at the Royal Rumble match in San Jose?
[JR] No doubt that Kurrgan "The Interrogator" is going to be a force
at the 1998 Royal Rumble in the Royal Rumble match-up.
[Kelly] But later tonight, we'll take you to a palace fit for a king,
the palatial Fort Lauderdale office and studio complex
of the mightiest king of the boxing world
as the impresario, Don King, discusses Mike Tyson and WrestleMania XIV.
[JR] And an exclusive, exciting look
at the graphic footage from Hell in a Cell.
And wait till you see the hell that has led us to the Casket Match
at the 1998 Royal Rumble.
And coming up next, Triple H.
[presenter] And, now, the Twix Rewind!
With Twix Cookie Bars, it's always two for me and none for you.
[JR] Seven angry men are surrounding Kane,
but here comes the man!
What? What the hell?
The Undertaker is fighting with his brother!
I do not believe this!
The Undertaker came to his brother's aid!
[presenter] That was the Twix Rewind!
Two for me, none for you. Twix!
♪ Are you ready? ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Oh, you think you can tell us What to do? ♪
♪ You think you could tell us What to wear ♪
♪ You think that you're better? ♪
♪ Well, you better get ready ♪
♪ Bow to the masters ♪
♪ Break it down! ♪
-["Break It Down" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The WWE Champion, Shawn Michaels, along with Chyna,
helping Triple H to the ring.
Triple H, the European Champion,
but he's in a wheelchair after injuring his knee
just eight days ago.
[JR] That was in Hamilton, Ontario.
Hunter Hearst-Helmsley suffered a dislocated kneecap.
As a matter of fact, tomorrow,
Helmsley will be heading down to Birmingham, Alabama
to consult with noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jim Andrews,
about the severity of Helmsley's knee.
[Kelly] Well, despite the injury that Hunter Hearst-Helmsley
suffered eight days ago, JR, what he did was instrumental
in Shawn Michaels' retention of the WWE Title just one week ago on Raw.
Owen Hart had the title match won
following the enzuigiri kick which absolutely KO-ed Shawn Michaels.
The sharpshooter was applied. And from outside,
the crutch broken across the head of Owen Hart
And that, in my opinion, is what has kept the WWE Title
around Shawn Michaels' waist today.
[Cole] Shawn Michaels, still the WWE Champion.
Of course, Triple H the European Title holder.
He is on crutches in the middle of the ring,
flanked, of course, by Chyna.
[JR] Well, in my 26 years in the sport,
I have never seen a more controversial entity than D-Generation X.
It's like the sun, you know you're not supposed to look at it
but once you start, you just can't turn away.
[crowd cheering]
Owen Hart,
you have officially gone
from the hunter to the hunted.
You know, you came out here, Owen, a few weeks ago
and you were hurling threats at D-Generation X, tossing 'em around.
They were some pretty strong words.
You said it with such conviction, Owen.
I was scared for a bit.
But there was a little tiny problem, Owen,
you didn't have the goods to back up your words.
So, you stepped up to the plate without a bat.
And it was Triple H that had to supply the lumber.
And for all you ladies out there,
don't you worry, don't you fret, don't you fear,
because there's plenty more wood where that came from.
[crowd cheering]
But Owen…
I'm gonna make a little challenge,
why don't you come on out here?
Owen, why don't you rear your ugly little head, niblet?
Why don't you float on back to the surface so I can flush you one more time, Owen?
Come on! I got one leg.
What's the matter? You afraid?
Come on. I'll call 'em off. I'll call Chyna off. I'll call Shawn off.
-Come out and play, Owen! -[Owen] Hey, Hunter.
I'm not gonna exchange words with you because that's a game that I don't play.
Look at yourself, standing out there all cocky and proud
like you achieved some great feat.
Just like last week when you hobbled yourself out to the ring
and helped your fellow degenerate D-Generation X, buddy, Shawn Michaels,
when I had him writhing in pain through my sharpshooter.
Well, Hunter, this is getting personal, and it's getting real ugly.
But lucky for you, I have some compassion in this black heart.
And I want every little ligament, every little tendon,
every little bone in that right knee to heal up.
And when it's all 100% and everything's okay,
then I'm gonna break the left one because I have a black heart,
and black hearts feel no pain.
[laughs]
[shudders exaggeratedly]
Oh, you're right. You're a pain, all right.
And I hate to tell you where.
Owen, I've got a little advice for you, buddy.
Watch your back, because D-Generation X is bigger than all of us.
[Kelly] You gotta wonder, is that some kind of veiled threat
coming out of Triple H?
Is, perhaps, Owen Hart now next on the list for D-Generation X?
[JR] I'll tell you one thing, I am a little bit amazed
at Owen Hart's demeanor.
Owen Hart doesn't seem very stable.
[Cole] Thanks for joining us on Raw, folks.
But don't go away, because up next in the War Zone,
Owen Hart, right here in this very ring, versus Savio Vega.
[JR] And Shawn Michaels, the WWE Champion,
is determined to call out The Undertaker.
Plus, we'll take an exclusive look at the graphic footage from Hell in a Cell,
as Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker prepare
for their Casket Match at the Royal Rumble.
[Kelly] Plus, still to come, the impresario, Don King,
has some telling words concerning the future of Mike Tyson
and WrestleMania XIV,
only in America, only in the War Zone. Next.
[presenter] 1-800-COLLECT presents the Slam of the Week.
1-800-COLLECT, the collect call that saves.
[JR] What a start the new year. Vader's gonna give it to us.
[Kelly] He's going for the moonsault!
-[JR] And bam! -[Kelly] Oh, he delivers!
-[JR] 458 pounds! -[bell rings]
The biggest moonsault in wrestling was just delivered by Vader.
[announcer] The man they call Vader!
[presenter] Slam of the Week was brought to you by 1-800-COLLECT.
1-800-COLLECT, the collect call that saves.
[JR] Earlier tonight, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin leveled this threat.
Just go ahead and bring your little camera here, son.
Royal Rumble's rolling around
and the word in the locker room
is that everybody's gunning for "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Uh-uh. That's not gonna work.
Steve Austin strikes first, and that's the bottom line.
You see, everybody in that damn locker room's got a pager.
And everybody that's looked at the pager sees the 3:16, so their ass belongs to me.
-[woman squealing] -Steve Austin is gonna do unto others
before they do unto him.
So, set your little channels, sit your ass back, don't touch the dial,
because Steve Austin's gonna raise hell
as only Steve Austin could raise hell, and that's it.
[JR] There's no doubt that Stone Cold is a man of his word.
First victim was "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock,
followed by the reigning Intercontinental Champion, The Rock.
But The Rattlesnake didn't stop there.
[Kelly] That's right. Jeff Jarrett had just won the NWA North American Title,
a stunning victory, stunning in more ways than one.
Whoa! He got the Stunner from Stone Cold!
And, then, what a stunning strut!
[JR] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has not left the arena.
Who's next? We'll find out on the War Zone.
-[helicopter hovering] -[indistinct chatter]
["We're All Together Now" playing]
♪ We take it on the road We do what we feel ♪
♪ So they could see that we are real ♪
♪ Hit the mat Play it cold ♪
♪ Makes nice and good We want more ♪
♪ Everyone get on your feet ♪
♪ Wave your hands Turn up the heat ♪
♪ Got another show to go ♪
♪ We're all together, now ♪
♪ Now! ♪
♪ Yeah! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[speaking in Spanish]
[JR] I'm Jim Ross alongside Jerry "The King" Lawler here at ringside,
and welcome to the War Zone, everybody.
[Lawler] It's been a wild one already, hadn't it, JR?
-[JR] No doubt about it. -[Lawler] Was that your pager beeping?
-[JR] I hope not. -[Lawler] I'm glad I left mine at home.
[speaking in Spanish]
[JR] We have a capacity crowd on hand.
Still to come, Shawn Michaels is…
Well, he says he's gonna confront The Undertaker.
-And we're gonna hear from Don King. -[Lawler] It takes a king to know a king.
I can't wait to hear what he has to say.
Well, King, Hunter Hearst-Helmsley said that Owen Hart better watch his back,
and there are four reasons in the ring right now.
Well, you know, you better take it to heart, Owen Hart,
I know you're out there listening.
Hunter Hearst and D-Generation X mean what they say. Watch your back!
[JR] There's absolutely no doubt about that. That's good advice
for the youngest of the 12 Hart children.
He's been Intercontinental Champion, he's been a WWE Tag champion.
And if it had not been for Triple H last Monday night right here,
he would be the WWE Champion right here tonight.
[Lawler] That's right, 12 children!
Stu and Helen Hart produced more tragedies than Shakespeare.
But I guarantee you, Owen Hart turned out all right.
And he should be, rightfully, the WWE Champion.
[JR] Owen Hart will certainly enter the elite 30-man field
to compete in the Royal Rumble match,
Sunday, January the 18th, in San Jose, California.
As Owen Hart certainly has his share of distractions.
Nonetheless, the impressive Savio Vega. And the match gets underway here.
Owen Hart with a lightning quick hiplock takeover. Lou Thesz Press.
And Owen Hart, who sounded a little bit deranged, King,
a little bit mentally unstable when we heard his remarks earlier,
starts off very aggressively. Whoa!
[Lawler] I'll tell ya, Owen Hart has more than titles on his mind.
He's got nothing but revenge on his mind.
He's taking it out on Savio right now.
[JR] Owen Hart's popularity here in the WWE
certainly seems to be growing by leaps and bounds.
And there's the Irish whip.
And Savio elevated in the back body drop.
Owen Hart, now, the quicker of the two men climbing the ladder, up on top.
-[Lawler] Look out! -[JR] And Owen Hart with a dropkick.
And nice nip-up. What an athletic move there.
And wait just a minute. I can't say as we are surprised.
There's Triple H.
-There's Shawn Michaels and Chyna. -[Lawler] Look out!
You gotta watch your back, Owen Hart.
You heard me say that earlier.
[JR] Both Savio Vega and Owen Hart will compete in the Royal Rumble match,
as well Hunter Hearst-Helmsley.
And, now, Owen almost in no man's land out here at ringside,
surrounded by Boricuas.
But Savio Vega is doing a pretty good job on his own, King.
[Lawler] You're right. But like you said, the ring is surrounded by guys
that put "panic" in the word "Hispanic."
The Boricuas will do anything to make sure Savio wins this match.
And then, like you said, from bad to worse,
you got D-Generation X looking on from the stage up there.
[JR] Owen Hart has all he can say grace over right now
with the very impressive Savio Vega.
And, certainly, the stakes could not be any higher
during the Royal Rumble match on Sunday, January the 18th.
The winner meets the WWE Champion.
Nice cradle! Good counter!
And two and a half!
-[Lawler] Look out! -[JR] Savio, spinning heel kick,
and a knock down.
And, yes, it will hurt your jaw.
[Lawler] Oh, it wouldn't hurt mine. I don't know.
Look at Shawn, he's not too impressed, is he?
[JR] Shawn Michaels has told anyone that would listen
that he would confront The Undertaker face-to-face
-right here tonight on the War Zone. -[Lawler] I can't wait to see that.
[JR] In addition, we are still scheduled to hear from the czar of boxing,
the incomparable Don King, right here tonight.
And a nice counter move there by Owen Hart.
I'll tell you what, Owen Hart owes Triple H
-some payback and space. -[Lawler] Look out!
[JR] And a crossbody. Leg hook!
Great technique, and a near fall.
[Lawler] Uh-oh. There's that outside interference. You knew it was gonna come.
[JR] The distraction, and Savio almost beheading Owen Hart!
And, now, Owen Hart is being attacked.
[Lawler] Look at this!
[JR] Miguel, Jesús, and Jose of Los Boricuas
really doing a number on Owen Hart.
And my gosh, you gotta feel for Owen Hart.
-He's outmanned. -[Lawler] Come get another referee.
[JR] I can say it's about time.
[indistinct shouting]
[crowd jeering]
-I think the referee is-- -[Lawler] Oh!
[JR] He may be ejecting those three Boricuas from ringside.
Owen Hart with a clothesline.
And Owen Hart, again, one more time.
Savio is reeling. And a spinning heel kick that found its mark.
-In the face of Savio Vega! -[Lawler] Right in the teeth!
[JR] And here comes the Sharpshooter. Owen Hart is a master of the Sharpshooter.
Owen's got it perfected!
-Savio Vega can't hold on much longer! -[screaming]
[Lawler] What's he screaming?
[JR] Owen Hart has the Sharpshooter applied.
-Savio holding on. -[Lawler] I can't believe he's holding on.
-He released. -[JR] Owen's gotta defend himself!
Jesús was coming in.
Savio on one leg now, trying to capitalize.
Wait a minute, Owen Hart with a roll-up. Can he hold him? Yes.
-One, two, three. Got him! -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheering] -Owen Hart has won this match!
[announcer] Here is your winner, Owen Hart!
[Lawler] And, now, he wants Hunter Hearst-Helmsley.
[JR] He wants all of DX, specifically, the man--
-[Lawler] Look out! -[JR] Oh, look out from behind.
Los Boricuas, now,
just assaulting Calgary's own Owen Hart.
Owen Hart being manhandled, being pulverized.
[Lawler] And D-Generation X is loving it! Look at this.
-[JR] And he's being delivered. -[Lawler] Hey!
[JR] Owen Hart is being delivered in 30 minutes or less…
-[Lawler] Special delivery! -[JR] …to Triple H and DX.
[Shawn] Mi amigo, gracias! Gracias, amigo!
[Lawler] I can't… Oh!
[JR] How humiliating this must be for Owen Hart.
-How degrading, insulting! -[indistinct shouting]
There's nothing Owen can do!
He's absolutely helpless!
[crowd jeering]
[Lawler] Somebody oughta…
Is anybody gonna help him? What are they… Hey, look at that!
[JR] There's payola. DX just… They just paid off their investment.
[Lawler] That's why Shawn Michaels said "Gracias." I can see he really means it.
[JR] Owen Hart is hurt.
Ladies and gentlemen, whatever you do, don't go away!
[JR] Let's take you back to what happened just moments ago in the War Zone.
Owen Hart had just defeated Savio Vega.
And, then, Owen was attacked by Los Boricuas.
[Lawler] And delivered to D-Generation X.
And they continued to do a number on a helpless Owen Hart.
Look at this. Humiliating.
[JR] It was all payola. D-Generation X paid off Los Boricuas.
And, ladies and gentlemen,
we can see Paul Bearer making his way to the ring.
There's been a lot of rumors regarding Paul Bearer
and his relationship, perhaps the end of his relationship, with Kane.
As we all know, last week here on Raw,
there were seven angry men who conspired to eliminate Kane from the WWE.
Men that Kane had demolished.
Well, out of nowhere came The Undertaker.
And then… Well, you take a look.
[crowd booing]
We thought that The Undertaker was coming to confront his brother.
But, King, it shocked us all,
because The Undertaker came to help his brother.
[JR] And it shocked nobody more than it did Kane and Paul Bearer.
Look at poor Paul Bearer. He's disheveled. He looks like he hadn't slept in days.
He's a wreck!
["Rest in Peace" playing]
[JR] Well, I just got word, we are going to attempt
to speak with Owen Hart.
He was really roughed up, as you saw.
We hope to get word with Owen Hart later in the broadcast.
Man, Paul Bearer looks horrible.
Or should I say even more horrible?
[Lawler] Hey, watch it. He looks to be heartbroken.
[crowd clamoring]
Undertaker!
I hope Shawn Michaels destroys you
at the Royal Rumble!
[crowd booing]
I curse the ground that you walk on!
I despise the very air that you breathe!
I hate your guts!
[booing continues]
It's because of you…
that I've lost my Kane.
-[crowd cheering] -[JR] Wow.
What's he saying? Kane's gone?
Your actions, Undertaker, poisoned his mind!
He's left me!
[crowd cheering]
I can't find him. I've searched everywhere!
Everywhere. I've looked everywhere.
Kane! [whimpers]
I know you're watching me, Kane.
I know you're out there somewhere.
Please listen to me.
I took care of you for all those years.
Listen to me, Kane.
Come home.
Please come home, Kane.
Come home.
[JR] Well, I've never seen Paul Bearer more distraught.
What… Something's going on back in the locker room.
[Lawler] What?
[JR] Something has just transpired in the locker room area.
-[indistinct shouting] -[objects clattering]
-Get your damn cameraman! -[JR] Stone Cold.
[shouting continues]
-[Lawler] What's he done? -The hell? What's going on around here?
[JR] Austin must've got Mark Henry with a Stunner.
-[Mosh] I don't know. He's crazy. -[Thrasher] He's gone ballistic.
[JR] Obviously, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin making his presence felt,
doing unto others before they do unto him.
Ladies and gentlemen, still to come,
WWE Champion Shawn Michaels will confront The Undertaker one-on-one.
But wait until you see the hell
that Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker went through
at the Hell in a Cell match-up
to get to the Casket Match at the 1998 Royal Rumble.
[Lawler] But up next, Sable!
And oh, yeah. "Marvelous" Marc Mero is gonna take on Tom Brandi.
[JR] Welcome back to the War Zone, everybody,
from the sold out New Haven Coliseum.
Well, folks, in recent weeks, Marvelous Marc Mero's treatment of Sable
has been absolutely deplorable. Let's take a look.
[Cole] He's degraded Sable by dressing her in a potato sack.
[JR] Marc Mero is humiliating Sable.
[Cole] He's publicly humiliated Sable by making her wear a reindeer suit.
[JR] Marvelous is trying to belittle Sable again.
[Cole] He's verbally accosted Sable in public.
[Mero] I'm the star!
And if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in no magazine, you understand me?
You know, sometimes, I get so sick of looking at you. You're…
Oh, go ahead and cry. Oh, go ahead and cry.
Did I give you permission to do this interview?
Did I even say you could speak?
Well, Sable, you aren't gonna do anything that might humiliate "Marvelous" Marc Mero
now, would you?
You are useless!
[Cole] But one man has taken a stand against the self-proclaimed Marvelous One.
-[Lawler] Oh, look out! -[JR] Salvatore Sincere,
or Tom Brandi, whatever you wanna call him,
just dropkicked Marvelous right over the top rope.
Brandi on his way to the ring,
and Brandi's not gonna stand for this any longer.
[Lawler] Brandi, he's all over Mero!
[Cole] But has Tom Brandi's knight in shining armor mentality
clouded his judgment?
-[Lawler] Look out! -[JR] And a chair!
And Mero got Tom Brandi in the back of the head with that steel chair!
Not the… He can't… Darn it.
No! Steel chair!
[Cole] In just moments, these two men will finally get it on.
But what's at stake in this contest may be worth more than the fight itself.
[indistinct shouting]
[Lawler] Well, I don't know about you, JR, but I'm not overly impressed
with this Tom Brandi guy.
He's trying to come to the aid of Sable, make a big deal,
but he's a bigger loser than Marty Schottenheimer.
Come on, let's face it. What are you thinking, Tom Brandi?
[JR] He might care, but you wouldn't know anything about that.
In any event, Mero's treatment of that young lady
is absolutely reprehensible.
[JR] Mero should be ashamed of his recent actions.
He's insecure. He's a lot like a lot of athletes these days.
Some people say that he's living on potential, living on reputation.
[Lawler] He's doing what? Come on!
The people here are cheering like crazy for him. They love him here.
[JR] They're cheering for Sable, if you would just pay attention.
[Lawler] Oh, look at Sable.
That reminds me, is that guy still trying to float around the world in a balloon?
[announcer] He weighs in at 272 pounds,
-Tom Brandi! -[Lawler] He didn't make it, did he?
[JR] I don't think so, King.
And Marvelous Marc Mero
backing off from the big Italian, Tom Brandi.
[Lawler] He's not backing off.
[JR] Well, he ain't backing forward.
Come on! Come on!
[JR] Mero, maybe, is trying to lure Brandi in. I really don't know.
[JR] Oh, now, the brave Marvelous One using Sable as a shield!
And, then, a cheap shot by Mero.
Now, how heinous and how cowardly can you be?
[Lawler] You always say Tom Brandi wants Sable.
Well, he got her. Just for a second.
[crowd chanting] Sable! Sable!
[JR] Brandi now, the former New York state Golden Gloves boxing champion,
using those educated fists.
And by the way,
in case somebody might wanna mention to the referee, Earl Hebner,
those fists are against the rules.
This is a wrestling match,
-not a boxing contest. -You love Sable? Huh?
[JR] I don't see Don King anywhere around.
But Don King will be with us here tonight
for a very special statement from the czar of boxing.
[Lawler] Oh, yeah. Takes a king to know a king.
I can't wait to hear what the king with the… what do you call it?
-Good hair or bad hair, has to say. -[crowd chanting] Sable!
[JR] Hard clothesline turning out Brandi inside out.
-Listen to the chant. -[crowd chanting] Sable! Sable! Sable!
[JR] How must Mero feel knowing that these thousands and thousands of fans
didn't come here to see him? They came to see Sable.
[Lawler] It's just like you and I, Ross. How does it feel when everybody wants my…
Oh!
When everybody wants my autograph, cheers for me,
you get a little upset and jealous.
[JR] Mero normally going downstairs as a vital part of his offense,
his patented Golota.
-Now, he knows how it feels. -[screaming]
[JR] And Tom Brandi, a little adrenaline rush there.
[Lawler] I thought you said fists were illegal.
-[JR] They are. And that's illegal. -[Lawler] Come on, ref.
[JR] And Mero is…
Looks like, punched by a boxer. Oh!
There's a bulldog. And that's one, two…
And Brandi, who neglected to neutralize the leg, got a near fall
[Lawler] Well, he's a back fighter. Attacked poor Marc Mero from behind.
Ooh!
[JR] Folks, we got some big line of events coming up in February.
And tickets go on sale this Saturday in Dallas, Waco,
the Continental Airlines Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida,
Tacoma, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia.
So, if you're in Dallas or Waco, Continental Airlines Arena,
West Palm, Tacoma, or Vancouver,
tickets for those big live February events go on sale at your box office
this Saturday.
[Lawler] That's right. I'll be there. You know, my only regret
is that I can't sit out in the audience and watch me.
-Ooh! Look out. -[JR] Brandi…
[JR] Oh, and Mero knocked outside landing on Sable.
[crowd jeering]
And Mero not… And she was…
It's almost as if Mero is blaming Sable
for being there when he was knocked out of the ring.
And, now, look at Brandi.
Brandi is manhandling The Marvelous One.
At least Brandi's got enough class to see if she's injured.
[Lawler] Well, he's making a big mistake here.
-You better keep your mind on the match. -[JR] Double axe handle!
And with Sable in Brandi's arms!
Mero could give a darn less about the lady.
And, now, sends Brandi for a ride to the steel steps.
[Lawler] Uh-oh. She does look hurt.
Maybe I should go and give her some mouth-to-mouth.
[JR] I think her ankle is hurt, King.
[Lawler] I know what she needs, an external heart massage.
[JR] Stop that!
-[Lawler] I'm a doctor, you know. -[JR] Yeah.
-And Mero now. -[Lawler] Oh!
-Here we go. -[JR] There's Brandi up! TKO!
And we saw it last week on the chair.
And right there, Mero just drills Brandi.
[Lawler] Yeah, thanks for coming, Tom.
What? Just Pin him, Marc.
Hit him another one. This is good.
-Two for the price of one. -[JR] Wait. No, no, no!
Here he is! He's back! The Rattlesnake!
-The Rattlesnake, Stone Cold! -[crowd cheering]
Boom! And a marvelous Stunner!
[crowd cheering]
[JR] "Stone Cold" Steve Austin knows he is a marked man
-during the Royal Rumble match! -[Lawler] Uh-oh.
-[crowd cheering] -Uh-oh.
You don't think he's gonna…
[JR] Well, those blue eyes got a sparkle in 'em.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin has struck again!
-And that got a little smile from Sable. -[Lawler] What is she looking at?
-["I Won't Do What You Tell Me" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Lawler] Ooh, we got a wild crowd here tonight, JR.
And still to come, Shawn Michaels, the WWE Champion,
is gonna go face-to-face with the man he'll meet at the Royal Rumble,
The Undertaker!
[JR] Last week as Cactus Jack once again battled the New Age Outlaws,
Cactus' old friend, Chainsaw Charlie, decided to show up.
[Lawler] Yeah. I think you might say he decided to cut in, literally.
[JR] Cactus Jack is inviting the New Age Outlaws to follow him.
And a fight breaks out!
[chainsaw buzzing]
-And the chainsaw arrived. -[Lawler] I guess.
[JR] And there's somebody damn sure in that crate.
-Good lord! -[Lawler] My god! Look out!
Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?
The title's LOD! There's a guy dressed up with a chainsaw!
-[chainsaw buzzing] -[screaming]
[JR] Oh, you better…
[tense instrumental music]
[crowd cheering]
[Road Dogg] Oh, you didn't know?
Your ass better call somebody.
[crowd cheering]
World Wrestling Entertainment is proud to present
the World Wrestling Entertainment Tag Team Champions,
the "Road Dogg" Jesse James and B-A-double D-A, double crooked letter,
"Badass" Billy Gunn.
You two boys must be gluttons for punishment.
It'll be a cold day in hell before you ever get these straps.
You see, me and Mr. Ass are from the Sunshine State.
And the only way you'll ever get these titles back
is if we stick 'em where the sun don't shine.
[JR] The Headbangers know what it's like to be WWE Tag Teams Champions.
And while we have a moment,
our very best wishes to Hawk and Animal, the incomparable Legion of Doom,
two men that will soon be back in action.
As a matter of fact, at the Royal Rumble,
Hawk and Animal will challenge the New Age Outlaws,
not only for the New Age Outlaws' careers, because I think it could be over…
-but also for the WWE… -Aren't you proud of me?
-[JR] …Tag Team Championship, as well. -[Lawler] I'll tell you who it's over for,
The Legion of Doom. Why don't they face it?
They got about as much future as a Hong Kong chicken.
Forget about 'em.
[JR] I don't believe that at all. I don't agree with it. They're American originals.
The Road Warriors, Legion of Doom, whatever you wanna call 'em,
they will be back, and they will be angry,
and somebody is gonna get hurt, and it could happen at the Royal Rumble.
And, right now, you see the double team,
prototypical New Age Outlaw offensive technique, two-on-one.
And, oh, right there! Big move by Thrasher.
[Lawler] That was one on two.
[JR] It wasn't that long ago that the New Age Outlaws
broke a boom box right over Thrasher's head, busted him wide open.
And The Headbangers have not forgotten that,
among many illustrations that have occurred with them
and, of course, the New Age Outlaws.
[Lawler] And, obviously, did a slight amount of brain damage.
[laughs] These two morons, The Headbangers, haven't been right since.
[JR] Folks, we've been talking about the special statement
from the czar, Don King.
We are… We understand, we'll be going there
as soon as this match concludes.
We'll have that exclusive statement from Don King right here on the War Zone.
[Lawler] You oughta let me talk to the impresario.
You know, it's not easy being a king.
If it was, even you could do it, JR.
[JR] Nice athletic move there by Billy Gunn.
And the former three-time Tag Champion, make it four-time now.
What a high hip lock takeover!
And a quick arm drag take down by Mosh,
using Billy Gunn's own momentum against him.
Well, I'll tell you what, folks, you've gotta be getting excited
about January the 18th. Circle that date on your calendar.
San Jose, California, a great city.
The 1998 Royal Rumble will be bigger than ever.
The most exciting 60 minutes, the Royal Rumble match, that is,
Of course, this pay-per-view,
almost three hours of live non-stop action.
And I can tell you, been on both sides of the fence,
nobody does it like the WWE!
[Lawler] And it's really gonna sort of start tonight,
when Shawn Michaels calls out The Undertaker
to talk about the Casket Match.
What do you think he's gonna say to The Undertaker
when he meets him tonight? What do you think, JR?
[JR] I don't know, but we're also gonna see some exclusive,
for the first time on broadcast television,
graphic, graphic footage from Hell in a Cell.
That's still to come.
Nice double team! Face first!
And a modified suplex.
And wait a minute, you smell that?
-[Lawler] What? Is that you? -[JR] It's… Well, they're not chickens.
It's The Godwinns. And there you see 'em.
Henry on your left, Phineas on your right.
They're also former WWE Tag Team Champions.
And I do believe that the New Age Outlaws owe The Godwinns a favor.
[Lawler] You oughta really be able to relate to The Godwinns,
two good ol' Southern boys. You got a lot in common with them.
And, by the way, what do they owe 'em a favor for anyway?
[JR] The Godwinns, on more than one occasion,
have helped the New Age Outlaws.
And it's been well documented.
And the Godwinns truly believe, they got a Tag Team Title Match coming.
You!
[Lawler] Well, they made a deal, you know?
[JR] Hard kicks right to the spine.
And look at the Road Dogg.
Boy, when he has the opportunity to be on the offense,
he can be as aggressive as anybody.
[Lawler] He can turn up the heat with the best of 'em.
Oh!
[JR] Both men looking for a dropkick.
And you can obviously see where they hit.
[Lawler] Yeah, they found something they didn't wanna find.
-[referee] Two! -[JR] Both men are down now
in this tag team match-up.
A non-title tag team match-up, we should add.
I tell you what, if the LOD doesn't absolutely dismantle the New Age Outlaws,
number one, I'm gonna be hugely surprised,
but the LOD doesn't get it done,
I'd be most aware of Cactus Jack and his buddy, Chainsaw Charlie.
[Lawler] I'm sick of hearing about Cactus Jack. He's got a split personality.
-And I hate both of them. -[JR] A tag was made.
Mosh in! Right hands!
Nothing but rocks! There's a dropkick!
And The Godwinns have seen what they wanted to see.
[Lawler] I think they made their point.
Irish whip in.
Good team work by Thrasher on The Road Dogg.
And, right now, The Headbangers are showing us
that WWE Tag Team Championship move.
Big-time flapjack!
Shades of the Mr. NWA, Jim Cornette's old Midnight Express.
[Lawler] Look at these guys.
Where's the referee with all these double-teaming going on?
-[JR] Stage dive! Oh! -[Lawler] He missed him!
[JR] Stage dive! Miscalculation!
-Great adjustment! -[bell rings]
And The Headbangers may have beaten themselves,
but The New Age Outlaws have won the match-up!
-[chainsaw buzzing] -[crowd cheering]
-Uh-oh. -[Lawler] Oh, no!
[JR] Here they come!
Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie!
[Lawler] Get out of there, Billy, Road Dogg! Get out of there!
[crowd cheering]
-[JR] Good grief! -[Lawler] We better get outta here, too!
-[JR] We might wanna think about it. -[Lawler] Oh, look at that!
[JR] Chainsaw Charlie is a blithering nut!
[Lawler] Look out!
[JR] His machinery is…
Well, I've never seen anything quite like this.
[Lawler] He got to cut the ropes.
Well, let me tell you this, JR, the story that made headlines everywhere,
Mike Tyson and the WWE!
I can announce that the World Wrestling Entertainment, just today,
has officially begun negotiations with the baddest man on the planet,
Iron Mike Tyson, to participate this year
at WrestleMania XIV on March the 29th in Boston!
[presenter] The news that the baddest man on the planet, Mike Tyson,
was negotiating with the WWE for WrestleMania XIV,
made headlines in newspapers around the world.
And this past Saturday, the WWE ventured to Fort Lauderdale, Florida
to obtain comments from the impresario, the monarch of magnificence,
the baron of boxing, only in America, Don King.
Boy, am I excited. Boy, am I excited!
My creative juices is flowing like never before.
We are about to bring you one of the greatest extravaganzas
ever known to mankind.
WrestleMania and Mike Tyson
joined together by one of the greatest explosions in pay-per-view
you've ever seen.
Boy, I'm excited about it. We're not quite there yet, though.
I know you wanna get excited,
but we are not quite there, because I'm excited.
Yes, we gotta dot a few Is, cross a few Ts.
But when we get it together, Vince McMahon and I
are going to bring to you one of the greatest shows on Earth,
WrestleMania and Mike Tyson, March 29th.
We are working on it. And I'm excited everyday. I'm thinking about it.
So, don't touch that dial! Stay informed, stay in tune!
Find out what's happening now,
because we got an affordable pleasure at an affordable price,
and a pleasure you can't afford to miss!
WrestleMania and Mike Tyson, March 29th! Be there!
I'm looking forward to seeing you on that great day
when these two giants come together, Mike Tyson and WrestleMania!
We're working on it, Vince and I, Vince McMahon and I,
Vince McMahon and I will get it done!
See you there, March 29th!
[JR] Good lord, Vince McMahon and Don King negotiating.
Folks, Don is a tough negotiator.
They're getting close to a deal, but it's not done yet.
So, be sure and stay tuned.
When we return, Shawn Michaels is determined to call out The Undertaker.
[Lawler] Plus, wait until you see the hell
Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker went through
to get to the Royal Rumble Casket Match.
The exclusive graphic footage is next.
[upbeat instrumental music playing]
[JR] Welcome back to the War Zone, everybody.
Thanks very much for inviting us into your home once again.
Well, folks, we know that Shawn Michaels will meet The Undertaker for the WWE Title
in the Casket Match at the Royal Rumble.
But this collision began last October
when the largest structure of its kind, King, was ever erected.
[Lawler] Workers from all over the country were brought to construct
not a cage, but a cell.
And this is where it all began between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.
[JR] Don't be mistaken, ladies and gentleman.
This is not a cage match. This is Hell in the Cell.
Once you get in there, there is nowhere to go, nowhere to run.
When that door is shut, it's padlocked.
[Shawn] Ain't nobody crazy enough to do this gig,
except for The Heartbreak Kid.
[JR] And this, I believe, will spell the demise of Shawn Michaels.
And, now, The Undertaker starting to move on Michaels.
Oh, this is not gonna be good.
And Michaels… Oh, did you see that?
[Lawler] This is truly hell in a cell for Shawn Michaels.
[JR] Michaels' body must feel like it's been in a car accident.
[dramatic music playing]
[Lawler] You can see it. Shawn Michaels is pulling out all the stops.
He's sacrificing his own body to try to keep the advantage.
That's his only hope.
-[JR] On the top of the steps! -[Lawler] He got him!
-[JR] Oh, my God! -[Lawler] He got him.
-[JR] I don't believe that! -[Lawler] The tables have turned.
This is turning into a little glimpse of hell for The Undertaker.
[JR] You're right.
Oh! Michaels has gotta do what he has to do to survive!
[dramatic music playing]
And, now, The Undertaker driving the hammer back.
[JR] Michaels coming right back. Oh, no!
God, he just wiped out the cameraman!
[dramatic music continues]
Oh!
And that could do it! That could… Oh.
And maybe not!
This has just picked up!
Michaels and Undertaker are out of the cage!
Michaels catapulted right into the cage!
From the looks of things, it just busted him wide open!
[Lawler] Oh, no! His face into the cage again, no!
[JR] Michaels is a bloody mess!
-Undertaker, launching him! -[Lawler] No!
[JR] Oh! Like he was a human javelin!
[dramatic music playing]
And Michaels is going up! Michaels is going up!
-What's happening now? -[Lawler] He's on top of the steel!
[JR] God, The Undertaker's going right after him!
Nowhere to go but down!
Michaels… Oh, no!
21,151 fans,
and millions watching on pay-per-view, I've never seen anything like this! never!
-No! No! No! No! -[Lawler] Oh, my God!
[crowd cheering]
[JR] Michaels! Michaels escapes!
-Undertaker! -[Lawler] Oh, no!
[JR] He just stepped on one hand!
[Lawler] Incoming! Incoming!
[crowd cheering]
[JR] Good God, he may be broken in half!
-[Lawler] Somebody's gotta help him! -[JR] Oh!
How in the hell is Michaels standing?
I've never seen anything like this in my life!
[Lawler] Stop him!
[JR] And Michaels, now, back in the ring.
Michaels back in the purgatory.
Michaels has gonna walk through hell, maybe for the last time!
[dramatic music playing]
Michaels is hammered… Oh, my God!
It's all over!
Now, welcome to Tombstone…
-[Lawler] No. -[JR] Wait a minute.
Oh, my God. Wait a minute.
That's gotta be Kane! That's gotta be Kane!
Oh, my God! He just ripped the door off its hinges!
The Undertaker looking at him. Is that his younger brother?
-[explosion] -Oh, my…
-The Undertaker… -[Lawler] Tombstone!
[JR] The Undertaker set up for the Tombstone!
Driven by the attacker!
Look at Shawn Michaels.
[Lawler] Crawling out of a pool of his blood.
[JR] Throwing his arm over The Undertaker's chest.
We have one.
We have two.
[Lawler] Go! Come on! Come on, no! No, no!
-[bell rings] -[dramatic music playing]
[JR] Unbelievable athleticism, folks!
Nobody does it like the WWE.
That was just a sample of the entertainment quality
that you're gonna see when the WWE presents the 1998 Royal Rumble.
The Casket Match. It started in October at Hell in a Cell.
It will end in San Jose.
["Break It Down" playing]
[Lawler] Well, after seeing that footage, I can't believe that Shawn Michaels
is still gonna come out here and call out The Undertaker.
Love him or hate him,
you gotta realize this guy has got some testicular fortitude, if you ask me.
♪ Break it down! ♪
[JR] And there he is, the incomparable WWE Champion.
Without a doubt, I think you have to agree, ladies and gentlemen,
he's the greatest athlete in WWE history.
Many say he is the greatest athlete in the history of this industry.
Yes, he has bravado.
He just stood back there and watched the video package that we all saw.
He is extremely confident.
But you gotta wonder, King,
has Shawn Michaels convinced himself
that Shawn Michaels can beat The Undertaker for the WWE Title
in The Undertaker's specialty, the Casket Match?
[Lawler] All I'm saying is, I think he's convinced me.
Like you said, he watched that footage,
that graphic footage, just like the world did
and, then, he walks out here with a smile on his face.
He's cocky, JR. He's confident! He's convinced!
[JR] What an event the 1998 Royal Rumble is gonna be.
And Michaels always turns it up at a pay-per-view.
Now, my side kick, Triple H, and Chyna and myself, came out here earlier
and asked Owen Hart to show his ugly mug, but he didn't have the guts.
So, I thought I'd come out here and call somebody out,
and see if maybe he's got the guts to come out and face the man
in the World Wrestling Entertainment, The Showstopper.
the main event, the icon of the World Wrestling Entertainment,
The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels!
[Lawler] He's doing it, JR. Can you believe it? He's calling him out!
Now, as everyone knows,
The Heartbreak Kid has got a Casket Match
coming up at the Royal Rumble with The Undertaker.
[shudders exaggeratedly]
Now, I have beaten this man time and time again,
but he is such a glutton for punishment, he doesn't know when to stop.
So, Undertaker, at the Royal Rumble,
the Heartbreak Kid is gonna prove
that you are nothing more than a loser!
-[JR] Man. -[crowd booing]
And "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels will walk out of the Royal Rumble
still The Showstopper, still the main event,
still the icon of the World Wrestling Entertainment.
And first and foremost, he will walk out
the World Wrestling Entertainment Champion!
Now, Undertaker…
I'm gonna give you a chance,
and I'm gonna give the chance
for all the fans of the World Wrestling Entertainment,
to get a little something extra tonight.
[women squealing]
So, what I'd like to have now
is for you to drag that big,
dead-ass carcass of yours out here
and face me like a man.
Come on, Undertaker!
Get out here, so The Heartbreak Kid can smack you around
in front of the whole damn world.
[JR] I'll tell you one thing. Michaels has got some guts.
He's pushing The Undertaker to the brink here.
[JR] As if The Undertaker hasn't had enough problems.
-Okay, it's showtime. -[crowd cheering]
[JR] And my goodness, it's about to kick off, King!
-["Rest in Peace" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[JR] The Undertaker wants the WWE Title back.
-It's his match, the Casket Match. -[Lawler] Wait, look at this.
[crowd cheering]
[JR] The druids are bringing the casket.
Don't assume it has The Undertaker contained in it.
[Michaels] That casket looks awfully familiar.
[Lawler] Wait a minute.
[Cole] That's the same casket from last week that they…
[Shawn laughing]
-[Lawler] …disrespected, desecrated. -[Shawn] Oh, jeez.
I'm begging for a little originality here.
[Lawler] So are we.
[JR] I don't think we'd need three guesses to guess, now, who's inside the casket.
[Shawn] Okay. Now, sorry, folks.
But I thought Triple H and Chyna could do a little bit better than this.
I mean, this is what I did last week.
Okay, Hunter, Chyna,
you're real funny.
Ooh, I'm scared. Oogie-boogie-boogie-boogie.
Come on out, you two.
Come on! Come on!
Oh, what… sorry. [chuckles]
I forgot, the secret password here. Secret password.
Okay, here we go. Just like last week, okay.
Break it down.
[laughs]
I love you two.
Okay, break it down! Hello?
-[JR] Wait a minute. -[Lawler] Look.
Look at that, there's Hunter and Chyna up on the stage.
[JR] Well, who's…
Uh-oh.
[Lawler] Shawn, up there!
-[crowd cheering] -[mouthing inaudibly]
[Shawn] If… if you two are up there, then…
then… then who's in the…
-who's in the casket? -[JR] Oh, it's The Undertaker!
The Undertaker has Shawn Michaels!
He's in… He's taken that casket!
-Oh, my gosh! We're inside the casket! -[banging] r!