WWF In Your House 5: Season’s Beatings Results
December 17, 1995
Hershey, Pennsylvania (Hersheypark Arena)
Commentary: Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“The World Wrestling Federation: for over fifty years, the revolutionary force in sports entertainment.” The WWF video leads us into the show.
Video: The Hart Family is drifting apart during the holiday season. WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart will put his title on the line against The British Bulldog, his brother-in-law. It will be Season’s Beatings in the Hart House.
We go live into the Hersheypark Arena to see some sparkling fireworks go off over the ring. Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show. We see Santa Claus in the crowd giving out gifts. Lawler says the British Bulldog will be the new WWF Champion by the end of the night. Lawler also has a big surprise.
Video: Last month at Survivor Series, Sycho Sid helped the 1-2-3 Kid beat Marty Jannetty to become the sole survivor in his match. Later that night, Kid interfered and cost Razor Ramon his spot in a Survivor Series match.
Tag Team Match
The 1-2-3 Kid and Sycho Sid w/ “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase vs. WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty
Referee: Earl Hebner
Goldust is shown sitting on a gold couch at ringside to watch this match. There is an usher with him.
Marty Jannetty will start against The 1-2-3 Kid. Jannetty teases tagging Razor Ramon in, but Kid attacks him. Jannetty quickly fires back with an enzuigiri for a two-count. Jannetty wrenches his arm and heads for Ramon, but Kid pulls away. They lock up, and Kid gets Jannetty in the corner before shoving him. Jannetty shoves him down and hooks a side headlock. Kid whips him off, but Jannetty shoulder tackles him. Jannetty hits the ropes, so Kid drops down before doing a leapfrog. Jannetty blocks a hip toss, so Kid flips over him. Jannetty then clotheslines him down. Kid tries to avoid Ramon and anxiously slides away from Jannetty as he goes for a tag. Kid mouths off to Jannetty and shoves him as Jannetty approaches him. They shove each other before Jannetty hits an atomic drop.
Razor Ramon tags in to a big reaction. Kid tries to get out of the ring, but Jannetty sends him right back in. Ramon throws his toothpick into Kid’s face. Kid shoves him, so Ramon slaps him. Ramon goes for an atomic drop. As he lifts Kid, Sycho Sid tags in. Ramon hits the atomic drop. Kid quickly slides under him, and Sid runs Ramon over with a clothesline. Sid clubs away at Ramon’s back and chokes him on the ropes. Kid tags back in and hits some quick kicks on Ramon. Kid chops Ramon in the corner a few times. Sid tags back in and punches Ramon in the midsection. A “Sid” chant picks up. Sid clubs away at Ramon. Ramon starts to fight back with some right hands. Sid reverses a whip, so Ramon ducks a clothesline. They then wipe each other out with a double clothesline.
Both men take a moment to recover before Kid and Jannetty tag in. Jannetty punches away at Kid. Kid reverses a whip, but Jannetty comes back with a facebuster. Jannetty sends Kid into the ropes. Kid ducks a clothesline, but he can’t avoid a scoop powerslam for a two-count. Kid reverses a whip to the corner, but Jannetty boots him back, goes to the second rope, and hits a blockbuster. 1… 2… Kid gets a foot on the bottom rope. Jannetty applies a camel clutch.
Todd Pettengill is at ringside with Goldust. Pettengill asks why Goldust is here. Goldust quotes “The Graduate” from 1967 before talking about Ramon’s machismo and his hairy chest. Goldust says Ramon is 100% man. Goldust is infatuated. Goldust says before he drowns in a hormonal sea of life, he wants a favor. The Naughty One, Razor Ramon, Goldust has a gold envelope he wants Pettengill to give him.
Back to live action, Kid got the better of Jannetty, but Jannetty starts to fight back. Sid is tagged in. Jannetty goes for a diving crossbody block, but Sid catches him and hits a powerslam for a two-count. Sid connects with a scoop slam before shoving Ramon. Jannetty rolls Sid up, but Kid kicks him in the head. The referee was distracted by Ramon. Kid tags in and hits a weak scoop slam. Kid goes to the top rope and hits a frog splash for a two-count. Sid tags in. Kid sends Jannetty into the ropes, and Sid big boots Jannetty. Kid attacks Ramon, infuriating The Bad Guy. Ramon attacks Kid. Sid sends Jannetty to the corner and whips Kid into him, who hits a dropkick. Sid then turns Jannetty inside out with a clothesline. Sid digs his knee into Jannetty’s spine and applies a rear chin lock. Jannetty fights up, but Sid quickly clubs him back down. Jannetty hits the ropes and hits a right hand, but Sid shakes it off and punches him down. Kid tags in and kicks Jannetty in the head before hitting a snapmare. Kid drops a leg and tags Sid back in. Sid kicks Jannetty in the ribs and clubs him. Kid tags in, and Sid holds Jannetty up for Kid to hit a double ax handle. Kid sends Jannetty to the corner and leaps, but Jannetty moves. Kid crashes and burns.
Sid and Ramon tag in. Ramon punches away at Sid, knocking the big man down. Ramon attacks Kid and whips him into Sid before hitting a fallaway slam. Ramon attacks Sid and sets up for the Razor’s Edge. Sid gets out with a back body drop and goes for a leg drop, but Ramon moves. Sid reverses a whip to the corner and charges, but Ramon boots him back. Ramon hits a diving bulldog… for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty
Ramon immediately attacks Kid and goes for a Razor’s Edge, but Sid pulls Kid out of the ring. The Million Dollar Corporation walks off. Goldust looks really excited by Ramon’s victory.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was such a weird match. They built up to the big hot tag of Razor Ramon, and it was over seconds later after a diving bulldog on Sycho Sid. All that build for absolutely nothing. The match was 99% build and 1% payoff. That’s about the right ratio for a 1995 match. There were some good moments with The 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty, but this was largely a waste of time and a lame way to open the show. Yes, the faces won, but it felt so anticlimactic. The stuff with Goldust was really uncomfortable, which is great. This is the first time you’re really getting a sense of what the character really is.
Video: Sunny and Ray Rougeau are on the WWF Superstar Line. Ted DiBiase, Sid, and The 1-2-3 Kid join Sunny’s side.
Ring announcer Manny Garcia introduces “Nature Boy” Buddy Rydell and then immediately looks confused. Vince McMahon goes, “What in the world is going on here? I don’t think he has any idea what he’s doing out there.”
Jerry “The King” Lawler gets up from commentary as McMahon apologizes for what happened. Lawler has a gift in his hand. Lawler says we’re getting close to the time of year when everyone awaits a visit from a special individual. There’s a fat chance he’ll see any of these idiots in Hershey. Lawler has a special individual for them to see. He is not only special. He’s great.
Lawler introduces “Double J” Jeff Jarrett to the ring. Jarrett comes out to no reaction as he returns to the World Wrestling Federation. Jarrett gets in the ring and does his strut twice. Jarrett says, “Hello, folks. Double J here. That’s J-E-double-F J-A-double-R-E-double-T. That’s ‘Double J’ Jeff Jarrett, the world’s greatest singer, the world’s greatest entertainer, and the world’s greatest wrestler. Ain’t I great?”
Lawler says Jarrett is greater than great. This man has been preparing for his upcoming World Tour called “Greater than Great.” Lawler says his last tour and CD were so successful that he has a surprise for Jarrett. Lawler unwraps the gift and gives Jarrett a Gold CD for “With My Baby Tonight” off the “Ain’t I Great” album. Jarrett is thrilled. Jarrett says this is the culmination of the Ain’t I Great tour. Jarrett said he’d use the WWF and did just that. He told everyone he was the greatest wrestler and won the Intercontinental Title. He told everyone he was a great singer, and his video proved it. He told everyone he was a great entertainer and took Raw to places it hadn’t been.
Jarrett says the finishing touches on his new album are being done. It’s called “Greater than Great.” Jarrett is also here to declare himself as the very first participant in the 1996 Royal Rumble. Jarrett will go through 29 other superstars. Then, at WrestleMania 12, in Hollywood, he’ll be crowned the new champion. The Hollywood sign will be torn down and replaced with Jeff Jarrett. Lawler is thrilled and invites Jarrett onto commentary with him and McMahon.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was a pretty underwhelming return for Jeff Jarrett. He came out to basically no reaction and quickly fired up the country-music singer gimmick that hadn’t gotten over from a few months ago when he left… though I have to say, “With My Baby Tonight” is a pretty good song. With the resurrection of characters like this that weren’t getting over, it feels like this company is just constantly spinning its tires.
Dean Douglas comes out to the ring with a paddle in hand and walks very gingerly. Douglas gets in the ring and wants their attention because class is in session. Though he was prepared to come out tonight and give Ahmed Johnson the wrestling lesson of a lifetime, instead, the doctors did what no wrestler could do. They sidelined him. His back is only 65% of where it should be. Douglas told his doctors that even at 65%, he could still teach Johnson that lesson. Instead, he got a new student to teach Johnson that lesson. Douglas then introduces Buddy Landel.
Buddy Landel comes out in a Ric Flair-style robe to the theme “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”
Buddy Landel w/ Dean Douglas vs. Ahmed Johnson
Referee: Mike Chioda
As Johnson gets in the ring, Douglas slaps him in the face. Landel attacks Johnson from behind as the bell rings and chops him, but Johnson doesn’t feel it. Landel looks terrified and starts to punch him, but Johnson absorbs them. Johnson grabs him by the throat and puts him on the top rope. The referee backs Johnson up, so Landel dives. Johnson counters with a spinebuster. Johnson immediately follows up with the Pearl River Plunge for the victory.
Winner by Pinfall: Ahmed Johnson
Johnson gets out of the ring and grabs Douglas’ paddle. Douglas doesn’t realize because he has his head down in frustration. Johnson then smashes the paddle on his backside. Douglas hobbles off in pain with Landel.
Jerry “The King” Lawler gets up from commentary and invites Ahmed Johnson for an interview, calling him “The Teacher’s Pest.” Jeff Jarrett watches from the commentary table. Lawler congratulates Johnson before telling the camera that they’re not filming his good side. This is to get Jarrett in the frame. Lawler asks Jarrett if he was impressed. Jarrett says he wasn’t. Lawler says when Jarrett was in school, he was not only a great athlete. He carried a 4.0 GPA. Lawler heard that when Johnson got his varsity letter, the coach had to read it to him.
Lawler says he and Johnson will tangle pretty soon. Lawler asks Jarrett about Johnson’s chances. Johnson cuts him off and tells Jarrett that he’s fake. Jarrett is a fake cowboy, a fake “Achy Breaky Heart” guy. Johnson intimidates Lawler. As he does, Jarrett viciously cracks the Gold CD frame over Johnson’s head! Jarrett smashes the glass over his head and tells King to get him a chair. Lawler holds a chair up as Jarrett whips him into it. Jarrett cracks the chair on Johnson’s back and then over his head! Jarrett sends him into the ring steps and punches away at him. Johnson looks rocked. Jarrett hits him with the paddle, and Johnson absorbs the blow. Johnson grabs the chair and chases after Jarrett. Johnson grabs him, and they awkwardly flail on the aisle before they run to the back. Just as Johnson gets to the curtain, he stops and casually walks back, all sense of urgency gone.
Mike’s Thoughts: So, is it Buddy Landel or Buddy Rydell? Ring announcer Manny Garcia (one of a ton of attempts by WWF to replace Howard Finkel) totally botched that at the start of the entire segment, prompting a frustrated Vince McMahon to ponder on air if this guy has any clue what he’s doing. Pretty brutal. Then, when he’s introduced by Dean Douglas, who had a legitimate back injury, he’s back to Buddy Landel with no Nature Boy name. Who cares? He got jobbed out in under a minute.
They quickly moved on from Ahmed Johnson vs. Dean Douglas, as this was Douglas’ last televised appearance with the company. Jeff Jarrett laid in some brutal shots to Johnson, so brutal that it looks like it made Johnson forget how to work because that brawl up the aisle… woof. Either that, or Johnson really didn’t know how to work. Judging by how sloppy he worked, I’m guessing the latter. Still, there’s a ton of potential in Johnson. He’s someone you’d want to give a lot of room to grow because the payoff could be great. Unfortunately, he was about twenty years too early.
Now, I mentioned this is the last of Dean Douglas in the WWF. Let’s take a look at how it started and where it went wrong.
History Corner: The rise and fall of Dean Douglas/Shane Douglas in the WWF
This match effectively closes the book on the Dean Douglas character, and in many ways, on Shane Douglas’ time in the WWF altogether. There would be one more wild story of his tenure here. Dealing with a legitimate spinal injury, WWF was still pressing him to compete. Vince McMahon and Jim Ross were both working on him to go through with the Ahmed Johnson match. A few days later, he was told that his back spasms could lead to paralysis with the disc fracture, but McMahon, thinking it was an excuse, chewed him out in the locker room and made him cut a promo at Madison Square Garden to say he was unable to compete. Then, McMahon pretty much fired him when he came back.
Shane Douglas arrived in the WWF in 1995 with a solid resume. The year before, he had the independent wrestling world talking when he won the NWA Championship and threw it to the mat. He was a competent talker and a good wrestler coming off a strong run in ECW. The problem is that none of that translated when he got to Vince McMahon’s system.
Instead of leaning into his strengths, WWF saddled him with the “Dean Douglas” gimmick: an over-educated, condescending schoolteacher (or professor?) whose sole purpose seemed to be irritating the audience rather than generating meaningful heat. You know, the kind that sells tickets. The character never connected, the matches were flat, and behind the scenes, he was on the wrong side of locker-room politics with The Kliq.
After this, it was back to ECW for Douglas, where he found success as The Franchise before heading over to WCW. His WWF run was a failure, no doubt, but in hindsight, it says more about the company’s creative vacuum and backstage power struggles in 1995 than it does about Douglas’ ability.
It’s another example of WWF taking a capable talent, giving him nothing to work with, and then wondering why it didn’t work.
America Online Room
Todd Pettengill is with WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon. Pettengill mentions that Ramon will be defending the title against Yokozuna tomorrow night on Raw. Ramon says if Yokozuna wants it, he just has to take it, but he doesn’t think he can. Pettengill then gives the gold envelope to Ramon, which Goldust gave him earlier. Ramon opens it up and looks confused. Ramon then crumples up the letter and charges off.
It’s time for the first-ever Hog Pen Match. They show off the Hog Pen and the pigs inside. Hillbilly Jim comes out to a nice reaction and will be the guest referee!
Hunter Hearst Helmsley makes his entrance and looks like he’s going to be physically ill as he passes the Hog Pen. Henry O. Godwinn comes to the ring carrying two buckets of slop.
Arkansas Hog Pen Match
Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Henry O. Godwinn
Special Guest Referee: Hillbilly Jim
Godwinn threatens to slop Helmsley as he gets in the ring. Helmsley quickly bails out of the ring. Helmsley pulls a WWF crewman (it looks to be Tony Chimel) in the way, who takes the brunt of the slop. Helmsley punches Godwinn, who slips in the slop and falls. Helmsley gets in the ring and connects with a European uppercut. They start to brawl until Godwinn sends Helmsley into the ropes for a back body drop. Helmsley rolls out of the ring before getting in and poking Godwinn’s eyes. Godwinn reverses a whip and drops to his knees before punching him back. Helmsley gets tied in the ropes, so Godwinn grabs a handful of slop and rubs it in his face!
Godwinn celebrates, so a furious Helmsley clotheslines him in the back of the head. Helmsley punches and kicks Godwinn in the corner until Hillbilly Jim steps between them. Helmsley sends Godwinn into the corner and hits a spinning neckbreaker. Helmsley yells at Hillbilly Jim and drops a knee on Godwinn. Helmsley sends Godwinn into the ropes and hits a high knee to the face. Godwinn rolls out of the ring, so Helmsley follows him out. Godwinn quickly hits a forearm to the jaw, hooks the head, and drives him into the ring steps. Godwinn puts Helmsley over his shoulder and starts to walk toward the Hog Pen. Helmsley slides off and sends him into the barricade. Godwinn quickly fired back by smashing his face on the barricade and punching him, causing Helmsley to take a flat back bump on the concrete. Godwinn fights up, but Helmsley reverses a whip into the gate of the Hog Pen, causing the gate to nearly break. Helmsley sets up for a Pedigree, but Godwinn counters with a back body drop. Helmsley nearly goes into the Hog Pen, but he lands on top of the fence. Helmsley then hits a diving elbow drop onto Godwinn!
Both men are down. Helmsley crawls back to the ring, far away from the Hog Pen, which is the only way this match can end. Godwinn reverses a whip to the corner, but Helmsley boots him back. Helmsley sends him into the ropes and sets up for a monkey flip, but Godwinn powers him up and hits a wheelbarrow facebuster!
Godwinn grabs Helmsley and sends him hard into the corner, causing Helmsley to roll up the turnbuckles. Godwinn punches him and sends him into the opposite corner, and the momentum sends Helmsley over the top rope to the floor. Godwinn punches Helmsley down the aisle and sets up for a Slop Drop, but Helmsley holds the barricade to get out of it. Godwinn hits the floor hard. Helmsley grabs Godwinn, but Godwinn reverses a whip into the Hog Pen gate. Godwinn then hits a Slop Drop on the floor, which the Hog Pen’s surroundings have ringside mats. Helmsley’s back is bleeding from going into the Hog Pen. Godwinn charges, but Helmsley hits a back body drop into the Hog Pen, getting the win!
Winner: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
A stunned Hillbilly Jim raises Helmsley’s hand in victory. Helmsley shoves Jim away, so Godwinn grabs him and puts him in a military press before dropping him in the Hog Pen! Hillbilly Jim’s theme song plays, and Godwinn celebrates. Helmsley’s back is really bleeding as Godwinn grabs him and hits a scoop slam into the mud and, presumably, pig feces. Godwinn celebrates with Hillbilly Jim. Helmsley gets up and does a number of pratfalls before throwing some mud around. A fan throws a soda cup into his head, which matches the occasion.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was… something. Surprisingly decent action in the ring, but no one in the crowd cared because it could only end in the Hog Pen. Anything in the ring barely got a reaction. That gate for the Hog Pen was no joke. It’s cool to see a young, hungry Triple H taking stiff bumps to try and prove himself. That gate opened up a nasty cut on his back, which would require stitches, but not before he rolled around in mud and pig feces, taking pratfalls as well. My hat is off to him for doing that. This is about all his aristocratic character was good for, though. Luckily, he was allowed to pivot from it eventually, but this was a gimmick that was going nowhere fast, kind of like being a hog farmer named Henry O. Godwinn (H.O.G.). Woof.
Video: The 1996 WWF Royal Rumble is coming on Sunday, January 21.
Video: Diesel vs. Owen Hart
Owen Hart w/ Jim Cornette vs. “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
Referee: Tim White
The bell rings, and Owen Hart looks nervous. Diesel gets him in the corner and hits some back elbows, followed by some knees to the midsection. Diesel throws Hart across the ring. Diesel whips Hart hard into the corner and hits a sidewalk slam. Diesel sends him to the corner, but Hart slingshots over him and starts to punch away at him. Diesel pushes him off and clotheslines him over the top rope. Hart goes to walk off, but Diesel grabs him and puts him back in the ring. Diesel grabs him by the hair and slams him down. Diesel sends Hart into the ropes, but Hart ducks a big boot and hits a running calf kick. Hart goes to the top rope and hits a missile dropkick. Hart begins to work on the leg, trying to soften Big Daddy Cool up for a Sharpshooter. Hart continues to strike the leg and takes him down with an enzuigiri for a two-count. Hart gets Diesel to his feet and kicks him in the knee a few times to take him down. Diesel then kicks him away, sending Hart into the ring post.
Diesel grabs Hart and hits snake eyes. Hart stumbles around the ring, so Diesel puts him on the middle rope and avalanches him. Diesel sends Hart into the ropes and hits a big boot before raising his arm. Diesel grabs Hart and shouts, “This is for you, Shawn!” Diesel hits a Jackknife Powerbomb. Diesel puts a foot on Hart’s chest. 1… 2… Diesel takes his foot off. The referee begins to admonish Diesel as he sets up for another Jackknife Powerbomb. Diesel pushes the referee down and hits Hart with a second Jackknife Powerbomb. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Owen Hart
Diesel signals that he wants the WWF Championship back before walking off.
Mike’s Thoughts: Super short match designed to get over Diesel’s character change, giving him some edge. He didn’t care about getting the win so much as destroying Owen Hart, avenging Shawn Michaels, his friend. The night after Survivor Series, Diesel said he was only looking out for himself and anyone aligned with him. Michaels is aligned with him, so he did what he said. Then, he signaled he wants back in the title picture. Good for what it was.
WWF Superstar Line
Sunny is with a slop-covered Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and Ray Rougeau is with Henry O. Godwinn.
Ted DiBiase proves that everyone has a price for The Million Dollar Man
Savio Vega is walking down the aisle with Santa Claus, throwing gifts into the crowd. “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase is in the ring. DiBiase says, “Merry Christmas, and bah humbug!” DiBiase says the people are running up their credit cards for the season, so he’ll illustrate that each of them has a price. DiBiase says Vega has a price for him. DiBiase invites him into the ring to prove that he can buy Vega. DiBiase tells him to bring his “fat, jolly friend” with him.
Savio Vega and Santa Claus get in the ring with DiBiase. DiBiase says there are millions of kids around the world who believe in Santa Claus. DiBiase can’t think of anything more ridiculous. Santa is an overweight, fat slob. Not only is he big and fat; he’s ancient. You really think he can travel the world to deliver toys? Vega nods in approval.
DiBiase asks Vega if he believes in Santa Claus. Vega talks in Spanish before saying DiBiase tried to destroy the magic of Santa. Vega doesn’t have a price for DiBiase or anyone. Vega says he believes in the magic of Santa Claus. DiBiase makes him repeat what he said. Vega says he believes in Santa Claus. DiBiase laughs and says if he believes in Santa, he can believe this. Santa Claus hits Vega with his sack and clotheslines him down before stomping away at him. DiBiase and Santa double-team Vega. Santa hits a scoop slam, a very odd thing to put in a recap. DiBiase says, “You see, everybody’s got a price for The Million Dollar Man… even Santa Claus!”
DiBiase walks off with Santa Claus. A furious Vega attacks Santa on the aisle and reveals him to be Jon Rechner, who has appeared on WWF television as a jobber. They brawl until officials break it up.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was horrible and got no reaction. I get what they were going for, but it didn’t work at all. This is the short-lived Xanta Claus character. Hey, at least it got the future Balls Mahoney out there a bit.
Video: King Mabel vs. Undertaker in a Casket Match
King Mabel is carried to the ring seated on a platform carried by enhancement talent, including Jeff Hardy.
We go backstage to see Dok Hendrix, who is shilling for some WWF video games.
Casket Match
King Mabel w/ Sir Mo vs. The Undertaker w/ Paul Bearer
Referee: Jack Doan
King Mabel stands outside the ring, so Undertaker gets out, causing him to run off. Undertaker turns to intimidate Sir Mo. Mabel attacks Undertaker as he gets in the ring, but Undertaker quickly fires back with strikes before choking him in the corner. Undertaker can hold it for as long as he wants because there are no disqualifications. Undertaker sends him to the opposite corner and hits an avalanche. Mabel reverses a whip to the opposite corner and hits a belly-to-belly side suplex. Undertaker immediately sits up, so Mabel clotheslines him down. Undertaker sits up again. Mabel connects with a scoop slam and goes to the second rope. Mabel dives off, but Undertaker sits up to avoid the splash!
Undertaker kicks and uppercuts him before hitting the ropes for a clothesline, but Mabel stays on his feet. Undertaker makes him stumble with a second attempt. Undertaker hits the ropes again, but Mo grabs the feet, distracting him. Mabel hits a belly-to-belly side suplex, followed by a leg drop. Undertaker tries to sit up, but he’s too injured. The crowd chants, “Rest in Peace!” Mabel hits a big splash and begins to look confident. Mabel positions Undertaker, and Sir Mo pulls him out of the ring. Mo carries Undertaker over to the casket and puts him inside. Sir Mo puts the crown on Mabel’s head, and he saunters over to close the lid. Undertaker puts his hand up to stop it.
Mabel looks startled as Undertaker gets in the ring and punches away at him. Undertaker hits a clothesline, but Mabel doesn’t go down. A second makes him stumble. Undertaker then ducks a clothesline and hits his trademark diving lariat. Undertaker grabs him by the throat and hits an extra-large Chokeslam! Undertaker waits for him to get up and big boots him in the back of the head to knock Mabel into the casket. Sir Mo attacks Undertaker with the remnants of the urn, but Undertaker doesn’t feel it. The Undertaker attacks Mo, puts the remnants of the urn around his neck, and hits a Chokeslam. Undertaker then rolls Mo into the casket. Undertaker goes to close the lid, but he stops, gets in the casket, and grabs the remnants of the urn from around Mo’s neck. Undertaker then slams the lid on the Men on a Mission, winning the match.
Winner: The Undertaker
Undertaker and Paul Bearer celebrate with the remnants of the urn. Undertaker, who tried for months to get it back, looks down at it before handing it to the custodian of the urn, Paul Bearer. Bearer holds it tight. Undertaker then signals that he wants the WWF Championship.
Mike’s Thoughts: At long last, the storyline that just would not end all year is now over. Undertaker got the urn back. Undertaker finished up with The Million Dollar Corporation a few weeks back and is now finished with King Mabel, which was probably a huge relief to Mark Calaway, the man. It’s well known that Mabel was pretty sloppy in the ring. He was a great bumper for a big guy, but he could be reckless. That orbital fracture he inflicted on Undertaker was no joke. Now, at long last, Undertaker will be returning to the World Title picture while the King Mabel experiment is largely at an end. Yet another in a long line of behemoths that Vince McMahon was trying to get over to replicate the success he had in the 1980s… but times have changed.
Backstage Interview
Jim Ross recaps what happened at SummerSlam 92, where The British Bulldog defeated Bret Hart to win the Intercontinental Championship. Ross is then joined by The British Bulldog, Diana Hart Smith, and Jim Cornette. Cornette says Bret Hart has been jealous of Davey Boy Smith since he laid eyes on him in 1981 in Stampede Wrestling. Stu Hart thinks of Smith as another son. Hart’s sister used to think of him as her hero and now has a new hero in her husband. Diana says her husband will win the title. Bulldog says he beat Hart before and will do it again.
Backstage Interview
Elsewhere backstage, Todd Pettengill is with WWF Champion Bret Hart. Hart says he’ll prove he’s the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. He’s lived with the loss of 1992. Tonight, he’ll get it back. The British Bulldog is going down.
WWF Championship
The British Bulldog w/ Jim Cornette vs. Bret “Hitman” Hart (c)
Referee: Earl Hebner
Diana Hart Smith, who accompanied her husband, The British Bulldog, to the ring, takes a seat at ringside. Bulldog is wearing the same tights he wore in Wembley Stadium in 1992.
They circle the ring and lock up, but Bulldog quickly pushes him off. They lock up, and Bulldog shoves Hart back again. Hart looks frustrated as he circles around the challenger. They lock up, and Bulldog hits a headlock takeover. Hart gets out with a head-scissor before wrenching the arm. Bulldog rolls out and kips up before pulling the hair to take Hart down. Bulldog applies an armbar, but Hart fights up and backs him to the corner. Hart gives a clean break and backs up. They lock up, and Hart hits an arm drag. Hart drives his knee into Bulldog’s arm. Bulldog fights up and hits a scoop slam, but Hart pulls him down by the arm, keeping the armbar applied. Bulldog fights up and whips him off. Bulldog drops down, but Hart quickly runs him over with a running crossbody block for a two-count. Hart leaves the ring before getting back in, sliding through Bulldog’s legs, and taking him down with an inverted atomic drop. Hart scares Cornette back. Cornette has a tennis racket with a Santa Claus cover. Hart takes Bulldog down and applies a hammerlock. Bulldog fights up and whips him off. Bulldog then turns him inside out with a kitchen sink knee to the midsection. Diana Hart Smith applauds her husband.
Bulldog attacks Hart and slams him by the hair. Bulldog puts Hart in the tree of woe and stomps away at him. Bulldog accidentally hits the referee as he backs up. Bulldog pulls him out of the tree of woe and clubs away at the WWF Champion. Bulldog hits a snapmare and applies a rear chin lock. Bulldog tells the crowd to shut up as he cinches in the hold. Hart fights up as an “ECW” chant picks up. Hart goes for a crucifix pin, but Bulldog counters with a backpack slam. Bulldog drops a leg for a two-count. Bulldog goes back to the rear chin lock. Hart tries to fight up, but Bulldog slings him down.
Vince McMahon announces that he’s just been told that The Undertaker will face the winner of this match for the WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble.
Cornette hits Hart in the face with the heel of the tennis racket as the referee is admonishing Bulldog. Bulldog covers for a two-count. Bulldog takes Hart down and goes back to the rear chin lock. Hart soon fights up and backs him to the corner before driving his shoulder into Bulldog’s midsection. Bulldog reverses a whip into the opposite corner, and Hart hits HARD sternum-first. 1… 2… Hart gets a foot on the bottom rope. Bulldog sends Hart into the ropes for a back body drop for another two-count. Bulldog goes back to a rear chin lock. Hart fights up and tries to whip Bulldog off, but Bulldog holds on and takes him down. Hart fights up and whips him off. Bulldog shoulder tackles him and hits the ropes. Hart drops down and hits a monkey flip, followed by an inverted atomic drop. Hart punches him down and hits a headbutt to the midsection. Hart connects with a bulldog to the Bulldog for a two-count.
Hart punches away at Bulldog. Bulldog reverses a whip, but he lowers his head, so Hart hits him with a piledriver. Lawler shouts that Hart learned that from him. Hart covers for a near fall. Hart punches Bulldog and sends him into the ropes for a punch to the midsection. Hart hits a Russian leg sweep before going to the second rope for a diving forearm smash. Hart pulls Bulldog up and puts him on the top rope. Hart climbs for a superplex, but Bulldog hits a front suplex and crotches him on the top rope! Hart falls to the floor! Bulldog then goes outside and hits Hart from behind, knocking him headfirst into the steel ring steps.
Bulldog picks Hart up and drives his spine into the ring post. Hart is busted wide open, leaving a pool of blood on the blue ringside mats. Bulldog bounces him off the barricade and gets him in the ring as the crowd chants, “He’s hardcore.” Bulldog punches Hart and whips him hard into the corner. Bulldog connects with a piledriver for a near fall. Bulldog hits a delayed vertical suplex for another two-count. Bulldog presses him over his head and slams him down for yet another two-count. Cornette slaps the mat in frustration. Bulldog connects with a stiff scoop slam and heads to the top rope for a diving headbutt. 1… 2… Hart kicks out. Bulldog is hobbling, but he locks Hart in a bow-and-arrow submission. Hart manages to pop up and attempt a Sharpshooter, but Bulldog quickly fights out. Bulldog applies a side headlock, but Hart whips him off. Bulldog runs him over with a shoulder tackle, knocking Hart out of the ring. Bulldog is huffing and puffing in the ring, clearly exhausted. Hart gets on the apron, and Bulldog clubs him on the chest. Hart goes back to the apron. Bulldog tries to suplex him into the ring, but Hart gets out and hits a German Suplex for a two-count.
Hart reverses a whip, but Bulldog ducks a clothesline. They then take each other out with a double clothesline. The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Bret.” They slowly get up. Bulldog charges, but Hart gives him a back body drop over the top rope. Cornette checks on Bulldog. Hart hits Bulldog with a plancha and punches away at him. Hart is wearing the crimson mask. Hart goes to the apron for a slingshot plancha, but Bulldog catches him and hits a Running Powerslam on the floor! Bulldog pulls the mats back and goes for a suplex, but Hart blocks it and crotches him on the barricade before punching him down. Hart gets Bulldog in the ring and hits a backbreaker for a two-count. Hart grabs Bulldog and whips him upside down into the corner. Bulldog literally lands on his head! Hart puts Bulldog on the top rope and connects with a massive superplex. Diana had to cover her eyes. Hart rolls over and covers for a near fall.
Bulldog quickly rolls Hart up, but Hart rolls through for a near fall. Hart sends Bulldog into the ropes and hits a back body drop. Hart gets Bulldog in the corner and stuns him with some forearms. Bulldog reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but he runs into a boot. Hart then applies La Magistral for the win!
Winner by Pinfall and still WWF Champion: Bret “Hitman” Hart
Diana Hart Smith does not look happy. She goes over to her husband and walks with him and Cornette to the back. Fireworks go off as Hart takes the WWF Championship.
WWF In Your House Extra
Todd Pettengill is backstage with The Undertaker and Paul Bearer. Bearer is embracing the remnants of the urn. Pettengill says Undertaker will be the next challenger for the title at the WWF Royal Rumble. Bearer is thrilled. People have been asking when Undertaker will be back in the title picture. Now he is, thanks to Gorilla Monsoon. An irate Diesel walks in and shouts that the next title shot belongs to him. Bearer says, “Big Daddy Cool, you haven’t been very cool lately.” Undertaker grabs Diesel. Diesel says people have been dodging him, but Undertaker says he doesn’t dodge anyone. Diesel asks if this is how it’s going to be. Undertaker says, “If it’s going to be, it has to be.” They stare at each other.
Video: In Your House highlights.
Mike’s Thoughts: Unreal. What a match. That’s easily one of the best matches of 1995 and another excellent chapter in the Bret Hart vs. Davey Boy Smith rivalry. Because of the show it was on and the year it took place, this isn’t as well remembered as the 1992 SummerSlam classic, but it’s damn good and absolutely worth a watch. I remember it was included on a Bret Hart DVD in 2005, and I wound up watching this a bunch of times. It’s amazing. You have all this absurd stuff on the show – the return of Jeff Jarrett to crickets, a Hog Pen Match, and an evil Santa Claus – and then, out of nowhere, Hart and Smith drop in an absolute banger to save this show. This was dangerously close to being as bad as the October edition of In Your House, but the main event was way, way too good.
This was in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which isn’t all that far from Philadelphia, so there was a great contingent of diehard ECW fans in attendance. They loved the blood. Honestly, so did I. It really set the match apart. They keep signaling they’re going to push the product into a newer, rougher style. The Diesel promo on Raw from a few weeks ago, the Shawn Michaels collapse angle being played off as totally legit, and now this bloodbath. Still, they’re bringing in guys like Jeff Jarrett to do the same old, same old, so you keep waiting for them to turn the corner, but they don’t quite get there for a while longer still.
Quick Match Results
— WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon and Marty Jannetty def. The 1-2-3 Kid and Sycho Sid in a Tag Team Match
— Ahmed Johnson def. Buddy Landel
— Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Henry O. Godwinn in an Arkansas Hog Pen Match
— Owen Hart def. “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel via DQ
— The Undertaker def. King Mabel in a Casket Match
— Bret “Hitman” Hart (c) def. The British Bulldog to retain the WWF Championship
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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