WWF Monday Night Raw Results
March 25, 1996 (Taped March 11)
San Antonio, Texas (Freeman Coliseum)
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.
Shawn Michaels makes his way to the ring with a handheld personal camera called the “Kliq Cam.” HBK films his fans as he makes his way to the ring.
Video: The Raw video plays.
Shawn Michaels grabs a microphone and greets San Antonio, Texas, his hometown. HBK says it’s his pleasure to introduce his friend, teacher, and legend in South Texas. This man is going to take him to WrestleMania to become San Antonio’s first and only WWF Champion, “Supersock” José Lothario.
José Lothario makes his way to the ring and embraces his prized student. Lothario grabs the microphone and greets San Antonio. This Sunday, on pay-per-view, they will bring the WWF Championship home to San Antonio.
Shawn Michaels w/ José Lothario vs. Leif Cassidy
Referee: Earl Hebner
They lock up, and Cassidy gets HBK into the corner before giving a clean break and happily patting him on the chest. WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart makes his way to the ringside area and goes to the commentary table. Jerry “The King” Lawler claims he forgot to turn off his car lights and runs to avoid his longtime rival, Hart.
In the ring, they lock up again. HBK hooks a side headlock, so Cassidy whips him off. HBK shoulder tackles him before hitting the ropes. HBK avoids a slam and goes for a roll-up, but Cassidy holds the ropes. Cassidy slides through the legs and takes him down, but HBK twists him off. HBK hits an arm drag and applies an arm wrench. Hart says he’s never seen HBK move so quickly. Cassidy fights up, but HBK wrenches the arm. Cassidy twists out and tries for a back suplex, but HBK flips through. HBK ducks a hit and feigns a punch. They hit the ropes, and HBK hits a running crossbody block for a two-count. HBK hits another arm drag and puts the arm wrench back on. Cassidy soon fights up and whips him off before countering a leapfrog with a big spinebuster. Cassidy gets up and does a goofy celebration.
Marty Jannetty, Cassidy’s partner and Michaels’ former partner, heads to the ringside area. Cassidy hits a Sambo suplex. Jannetty walks by Lothario, who isn’t happy that he’s down there. Cassidy stretches HBK out.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Cassidy hits HBK with a vertical suplex. Cassidy goes back to the rear chin lock. HBK is bleeding from the forehead. HBK fights up and elbows out before hitting some jabs. HBK transitions from a crucifix pin into a sunset flip for a two-count. They trade pins, each getting a two-count. Cassidy pokes him in the eyes and goes for a powerbomb. It looks like HBK is supposed to slide over the top rope, but his legs come up short, and he takes a SCARY bump, nearly landing on Cassidy’s face. Cassidy puts HBK on the top rope and slaps him in the face. Cassidy hits a top rope superplex, and Hart is shown smirking on commentary. Cassidy covers for a near fall.
HBK gets to his feet and stuns Cassidy with a right hand. Cassidy fights back and puts HBK on the top rope. Cassidy hits an uppercut and goes for another superplex. Hart says it’s a mistake to go for the same move twice. HBK fights him off with a front suplex. HBK comes off the top rope with a diving clothesline. HBK kips up and hits Cassidy with an atomic drop. HBK sends him into the ropes for an inverted atomic drop. HBK jabs away at him in the corner and sends him hard into the opposite corner. Jannetty quickly sweeps HBK’s feet and holds his tights. Bret Hart gets off commentary and pushes Jannetty away. HBK avoids an avalanche from Cassidy and hits Sweet Chin Music for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels quickly gets out of the ring and gets in Bret Hart’s face. HBK apparently didn’t want any help from Hart in this match. They get really close to each other, and the tempers are flaring. José Lothario steps in to break it up, and HBK storms off.
Vince McMahon interviews Bret Hart at the commentary table and asks what that was all about. Hart says he was just trying to pitch in and didn’t get any gratitude. Hart says he considers Shawn Michaels a friend. He’s not a great friend, but a friend. Michaels is a great wrestler and athlete. Hart respects him. The bottom line is that at WrestleMania 12 in Anaheim at the Pond, in a 60-minute Iron Man Match, Hart has no choice but to pound Michaels into the dirt. Michaels will get a beating like he’s never had in his life. Hart says he’ll punish Michaels badly. McMahon wishes Hart luck.
Mike’s Thoughts: And there it is. Just like that, José Lothario, despite absolutely no one asking for this, is part of Shawn Michaels’ act. I guess they’re going for this father-son relationship with Michaels and Lothario, kind of leaning into the soap opera aspect of wrestling. Even though he was introduced in the video packages two weeks ago, this still feels very random and counterintuitive. Shawn Michaels is a fantastic promo and wrestler. Lothario can’t do a promo better than him, and it’s not believable that he’d be making him better than he is. If HBK is supposed to be the young and exciting answer to Bret Hart, why saddle him with an old guy? We’ll see how this shakes out as the series progresses.
As for this match, this is like the third- or fourth-character change Al Snow has gone through. Leif Cassidy is a supremely dorky and lame character who got WAY too much offense in on Shawn Michaels. That spot where (I guess) he was trying for an alley-oop into the ropes, only for Michaels to get caught up and land awkwardly, was insane. There were a lot of stiff and mistimed moves in this. Snow couldn’t have gained a lot of fans in production after busting open the main event of WrestleMania and the star they were going to build on. This should have been a glorified squash, not Shawn Michaels going back and forth with Leif Cassidy.
Later tonight, we’ll see The Undertaker with Paul Bearer. Ahmed Johnson will take on Owen Hart. We’ll also see Goldust at the Hollywood Backlot.
-Commercial Break-
Jerry “The King” Lawler is back on commentary.
Video: We see footage of the Ultimate Warrior returning at the Hoosierdome in 1992.
Aldo Montoya vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Referee: Jack Doan
Hunter Hearst Helmsley is accompanied to the ring by another blonde model, but they don’t identify her by name.
Helmsley attacks Montoya from behind. Montoya reverses a whip to the corner and hits a hip toss. Montoya hits a scoop slam and hits the ropes for a big splash, but Helmsley gets the knees up. Helmsley stomps away at Montoya and uppercuts him down. Helmsley sends Montoya into the ropes for a high knee to the face. Helmsley does the Blueblood Bow. Helmsley kicks Montoya in the ribs twice before hitting a vertical suplex. Helmsley hits a knee drop to the forehead for a two-count. Helmsley punches him in the corner and sends him into the ropes for a back elbow. 1… 2… Montoya kicks out. Helmsley is frustrated and covers him two more times for the same result. Helmsley sends him into the ropes and goes for a sunset flip, but Helmsley stomps him on the forehead. Helmsley punches away at him, but Montoya fights back. Helmsley quickly cuts him off and sends him to the opposite corner, but Montoya comes back with a springboard crossbody for a two-count. Helmsley hits the ropes, but Montoya hits a dropkick. Montoya hits a head-scissor takeover and chops him down. Montoya sends him into the ropes for a clothesline. Montoya celebrates and heads to the top rope. Montoya hits a diving crossbody block for a near fall.
Montoya punches Helmsley and sends him into the ropes. Montoya lowers his head, and Helmsley catches him with the Pedigree for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Hunter Hearst Helmsley
Mike’s Thoughts: Here’s another match just like the last one. Why on earth is Aldo Montoya getting in so much offense on Hunter Hearst Helmsley when WrestleMania is this Sunday? Surely, they know in production how it’s going to go for Helmsley against the Ultimate Warrior. Why not make him look as strong as possible going into the match against the Warrior? Instead, they have him looking like he’s evenly matched with a guy wearing a yellow jockstrap on his head. So goofy.
Video: Goldust is on the Hollywood Backlot. This was edited for television, so there are a lot of cuts, especially when Goldust does sensual things. Goldust quotes from the 1940s film “Pinocchio.” Goldust turns to a mannequin dressed as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Goldust says Piper has waited his whole life for a thrill such as this. There have been others, but none of them brought his innermost feelings as Goldust does. Piper’s darkest dreams and naughty nightmares… there’s never been a taboo as forbidden as this. They will become one, joined at the hip in eternal bliss. You will remember the name of Goldust. Goldust destroys the mannequin.
Mike’s Thoughts: A good, effective promo to build up the Hollywood Backlot Brawl.
Paul Bearer leads the Undertaker down to the ring.
Video: If you’re caught up in WrestleMania XII fever, you can buy a WWF WrestleMania wool jacket. You can even have your name embroidered on it. For $180, it’s yours.
-Commercial Break-
Video: The time has come. Mankind’s debut will be next week on Raw.
The Undertaker and Paul Bearer address facing Diesel at WrestleMania
Vince McMahon is in the ring and introduces the Undertaker. McMahon says this started when Diesel robbed the Undertaker of the WWF Championship. Paul Bearer says “robbed” is the correct word. There’s no doubt that his Undertaker had Bret Hart beaten, but Diesel cost him the championship. Then, his Undertaker gave Diesel a taste of the darkness when he pulled him down to the floor of the ring. Diesel took it upon himself to destroy his Undertaker’s casket with an ax before attacking Bearer at ringside. Then, Bearer brought the casket down to the ringside last week. Diesel opened it and saw his future. Diesel is on the eve of destruction.
McMahon grimaces, looking at Bearer. Undertaker says, “Creatures of the night… are you prepared for the feast? When all is said and done at WrestleMania, all that will be left is the battered carcass of one ‘Big Daddy Cool.’” Undertaker says Diesel has left him no other option. At one time, Undertaker may have been content with just beating him and embarrassing him. But now, because he laid his hands on Paul Bearer, the corpse he saw lying in the casket is Diesel’s future. The once shining star that was his future is now a dismal light. When Diesel looks into the eyes of the reaper, he’ll know his soul and fate lie in his hands. Undertaker finishes by saying, “Diesel… rest… in… peace.” Bearer beckons the Undertaker to follow him.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was a super fun promo. This classic combination of Undertaker and Paul Bearer rarely missed. Bearer was way over the top in this and was awesome. This is a tried-and-true formula that continues to work. They did a great job building up this Undertaker vs. Diesel match and didn’t compromise anything just because Diesel gave his notice to the company.
Still to come, Owen Hart will battle Ahmed Johnson. We’ll also see a music video about Bret Hart that was nominated for a Slammy Award.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Cast your ballots for the Slammy Awards!
Dok Hendrix is shown singing with the Raw Band.
Video: Jim Ross narrates a video about Shawn Michaels starting his training with “Supersock” José Lothario eleven years ago. Michaels knows that the greatest match of his life must come this Sunday night. If his training regimen is any indication, they’re ready. Michaels gives Lothario his word that he’ll win the WWF Championship.
Video: A video plays that highlights the two competitors in the Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII: Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. After one arduous hour in the Iron Man Match, will we still revere and call Hart champion? Or will he become mortal, like us?
WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart is now the prey. Hart says he knew sooner or later it would come down to this. Hart knew it would be Michaels trying to take his spot. Hart went through the same thing with Randy Savage. He thought Savage was great, but then he knocked on his door and passed him. HBK has come up short before because he gets a little overconfident and irrational. When you put the pressure on, sooner or later, he’ll make a mistake. Then, it’ll be over. It’ll be Hart looking to capitalize on his mistake. Hart will go up one fall. Michaels will try to make up for it, but Hart will keep on him. This isn’t a popularity contest. This will symbolize who the best wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation is.
Mike’s Thoughts: After this series of video packages, it’s a question why anyone would want to buy the PPV to see what happens. There have been lame builds for WrestleMania, including some where you know who will win going into the main event, but rarely has there been one this obvious. There’s no question that Shawn Michaels is winning this match. Bret Hart even says as much by saying that Shawn Michaels is knocking on his door, as he did to Randy Savage. Hart passed Savage and, even though he didn’t say this, it’s pretty clear HBK will be passing Hart. They’re mostly selling this on you’ll see a good match before the inevitable. There just weren’t enough interactions or drama between the two to build this effectively.
Owen Hart heads to the ring with Jim Cornette.
-Commercial Break-
Owen Hart w/ Jim Cornette vs. Ahmed Johnson
Referee: Jack Doan
The bell rings, and Hart shouts and poses at Johnson. Johnson feigns fear and winks. They lock up, and Johnson powers him down. Hart hooks a side headlock, but Johnson lifts him up and throws him off. Diana Hart is shown at ringside. Johnson hooks a side headlock, so Hart whips him off. Johnson quickly runs him over with a shoulder tackle. Hart gets up and sets up for a test of strength.
The British Bulldog is shown coming down to the ringside area. Bulldog talks with Cornette. Johnson is too tall for Hart to try a test of strength. Johnson gets on his knees, so Hart attacks him. Hart applies a front facelock, but Johnson lifts him and puts him on the top rope. Hart dives off, but Johnson loses his balance and slams him for a two-count. Hart hits the ropes, and Johnson applies a bearhug, which seems to be the spot they were going for. Bulldog distracts Johnson, and Hart sends him over the top rope with a spinning heel kick. Hart drives him into the barricade.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Hart takes Johnson down with a spinning heel kick. Johnson reverses a whip into the ropes and crushes Hart with a spinebuster. Johnson signals for the end. Johnson sets up for a Pearl River Plunge, but Bulldog gets in the ring and attacks him from behind.
Winner by Disqualification: Ahmed Johnson
Bulldog clubs away at Johnson. Hart and Bulldog send Johnson into the ropes, but he ducks a double clothesline. Johnson then takes them down with a diving double clothesline. Vader runs down and attacks Johnson. Jim Cornette holds the referee back. Hart and Bulldog avalanche Johnson in the corner. Vader then avalanches Johnson down.
Yokozuna and Jake “The Snake” Roberts amble down to the ring to make the save, despite the commentators saying they weren’t supposed to be there. Yokozuna and Vader go at it before Yokozuna clotheslines him over the top rope. Johnson, Yokozuna, and Roberts clear the ring. Vader flips out at ringside.
Mike’s Thoughts: Not much of a match. Owen Hart spent a lot of time trying to carry Ahmed Johnson in this. Johnson still looks super green and rough. That dive spot where he was supposed to catch Hart and put him in a bearhug, only to trip a bit and have to slam him, didn’t look fun. This 6-Man Tag at WrestleMania is clearly the right call. Yokozuna is in no shape to have a full-on WrestleMania match against Vader. They want to do something with Ahmed Johnson, but you can’t expose him in a singles match for the world to see. Jake Roberts is back, but he’s in rough shape. Just throw them all in a multi-man tag and let them all save face.
Video: The Slammy Award-nominated video highlighting WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart. It’s set to the classic WWF tune “You Start the Fire.”
Mike’s Thoughts: Classic. I’m not ashamed to say that I really like that song, especially that double-time bit toward the end.
Quick Match Results
— Shawn Michaels def. Leif Cassidy
— Hunter Hearst Helmsley def. Aldo Montoya
— Ahmed Johnson def. Owen Hart via DQ
Mike’s Wrap-Up: What We Learned from Raw
This was a solid enough go-home show for WrestleMania XII, even if it wasn’t without its issues.
On the positive side, the Undertaker vs. Diesel program continues to be one of the strongest builds on the card. The promo from Undertaker and Paul Bearer was classic and effective, and the mind games with Diesel over the last few weeks have been some of the better storytelling the company has done during this stretch. For a guy on his way out, they’ve kept Diesel feeling important right up to the end, which is the right call.
The main event scene, however, continues to feel oddly flat for what is supposed to be the biggest show of the year. The Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels video packages have been well-produced, but they’ve also made the outcome feel almost inevitable. Instead of building tension, they’ve essentially told the audience that Michaels is about to take Hart’s spot at the top of the company. It makes the match feel more like a formality than a true clash.
Elsewhere, the undercard build remains a mixed bag. The 6-Man Tag is clearly the right move given the limitations of the talent involved, but it still feels like a collection of moving parts rather than a compelling program. Hunter Hearst Helmsley being taken to the limit by Aldo Montoya, and Shawn Michaels having a competitive match with Leif Cassidy, are also baffling decisions this close to WrestleMania. At this point, you’d think the goal would be to make your featured talent look as strong as possible.
And then there’s one thing that deserves praise simply for its absence: no Billionaire Ted segment this week. After months of those skits dragging down otherwise decent shows, it was refreshing to have a go-home episode focused entirely on WrestleMania. Hopefully, last week’s “to be continued” was more wishful thinking than reality. Sometimes those “to be continued” things at the end of those skits felt more like a threat than anything.
All in all, this show did its job. The table is set for WrestleMania XII. The problem is that, for the biggest match of the year, it doesn’t feel like there’s much left to wonder about.
So, how did this go-home show to WrestleMania XII fare against WCW Nitro on the other side of the dial?
WWF Raw (USA Network, taped): 2.8 (Record: 10-14-2)
WCW Nitro (TNT, live): 3.1 (Record: 14-10-2)
Winner: WCW Nitro (4-week streak)
There just aren’t enough compelling things to beat WCW. It’s not like they’re getting their faces beaten off, but they’ve lost four head-to-head matches in a row now. They’ve got to be getting worried.
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.