WWF Survivor Series Results
November 19, 1995
Landover, Maryland (USAir Arena)
Commentary: Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Mr. Perfect
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
We go into the USAir Arena to hear Howard Finkel introduce Mr. Perfect, who will be joining the commentary team tonight.
Mike’s Thoughts: Great way to kick off Survivor Series with the return of Mr. Perfect. Inactive for over a year due to back injuries that largely plagued his career, this is his first appearance since the spring of 1994. The jacket Mr. Perfect wore at this event was worn by his son, Joe Hennig, at Curt Hennig’s posthumous Hall of Fame induction.
Also, this is the first Survivor Series to take place on a Sunday. The previous events took place on either Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Eve. It’s nice that the WWF was getting real about their product. No one is going to interrupt their Thanksgiving meal to watch this roster, where there were more guys with lame gimmicks (Isaac Yankem, anyone?) than there were guys like Shawn Michaels.
Video: A hype video for tonight’s main event between WWF Champion Diesel and Bret “Hitman” Hart plays.
We go back live into the USAir Arena to see a fireworks display. Vince McMahon, Jim Ross, and Mr. Perfect welcome us to the show. Mr. Perfect says this will be the perfect Survivor Series.
Sunny accompanies the BodyDonnas to the ring. The 1-2-3 Kid, having just joined the Million Dollar Corporation on this past Monday’s Raw after turning on Razor Ramon, is accompanied to the ring by “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase.
4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
The Underdogs (Marty Jannetty, Hakushi, Barry Horowitz, and Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly) vs. The BodyDonnas (Skip, Rad Radford, Dr. Tom Prichard, and The 1-2-3 Kid) w/ Sunny and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
Referees: Earl Hebner and Jack Doan (ringside official)
Before the match begins, WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon charges down the aisle, but he’s stopped by referees and WWF officials. They hold Ramon back from getting into the ring and attacking The 1-2-3 Kid. They send Ramon to the back.
Marty Jannetty will start the match against Dr. Tom Prichard. They circle the ring and lock up. Prichard backs Jannetty to his corner, but Jannetty quickly fights out. Prichard quickly grabs him and whips him back into his corner, but Jannetty lays out Skip and Radford with a double clothesline. The Kid grabs Jannetty. Prichard goes for a running knee, but he hits The Kid when Jannetty moves. Jannetty grabs Prichard and sends him into the ropes for a back body drop, followed by a right hand that sends him out of the ring. Jannetty celebrates as The BodyDonnas regroup at ringside.
Rad Radford tags in. They lock up, and Jannetty wrenches the arm. Bob Holly tags in, and Radford retreats to the corner. They circle the ring and lock up. Holly applies a side headlock. Radford whips him off, so Holly shoulder tackles him. Holly hits the ropes, but Radford drops down and leapfrogs him. Holly then catches him with a scary hurricanrana that spikes him on his head. Mr. Perfect says that was a good wrestling move, but not perfect. Radford fights back and shoulder tackles Holly. Radford hits the rope, so Holly drops down and leapfrogs him. Radford looks like he’s going for a hurricanrana, but Holly counters into a powerbomb. Holly celebrates before hitting a scoop slam. Holly connects with an arm drag and applies an armbar. Holly wrenches the arm and drops a leg on it. Holly gets Radford to his feet and tags Hakushi in. Hakushi attacks Radford’s arm. Radford whips him into the ropes and goes for a back body drop, but Hakushi avoids it. Hakushi ducks a clothesline and hits the ropes, but Radford floors him with a spinebuster. The 1-2-3 Kid tags in to boos and hits a splash off the top rope for a two-count. Kid gets Hakushi in the corner and rocks him with a spin kick. Skip tags in and puts Hakushi on the top rope. Skip goes for a back superplex, but Hakushi turns around and lands on him. Holly tags in and attacks Skip. Holly sends him into the ropes, drops down, and leapfrogs, but Skip slides through the legs. Skip leapfrogs Holly and hits the ropes, but Holly hits a back body drop. Holly connects with a pair of clotheslines, followed by an arm drag. Skip quickly pokes him in the eyes and tags Prichard in. Prichard punches away at Holly and hits a sit-out gutwrench powerbomb for a near fall. Prichard hits a scoop slam and heads to the top rope. Prichard goes for a moonsault, but Holly rolls out of the way. Holly heads to the top rope and hits a diving crossbody block on Prichard for the elimination.
Dr. Tom Prichard has been eliminated by Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly.
Skip becomes the legal man and quickly runs up behind Holly, rolls him up, and eliminates him.
Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly has been eliminated by Skip.
Hakushi becomes the legal man for his team and rocks Skip with an uppercut. Skip reverses a whip, but Hakushi blocks a kick and sweeps the feet. Hakushi hits a wheel kick to the jaw before connecting with a scoop slam. Hakushi goes to the second rope and attempts a slingshot splash, but Skip gets the knees up. Skip punches Hakushi to the corner and puts him on the top rope. Skip punches away at Hakushi before climbing the ropes for a super hurricanrana. Skip celebrates before collapsing to the mat. Both men are down. Skip is slapping the mat to get Skip moving. The Kid tags and attacks Hakushi. Hakushi fights back with some strikes before sending him to the corner for a handspring back elbow. Hakushi hits the ropes and hits a flying forearm. Hakushi goes to the top rope and hits a diving shoulder tackle. 1… 2… Kid kicks out. Hakushi hits a scoop slam and goes to the apron. Hakushi goes for a springboard splash, but Kid moves.
We go backstage to see WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon watching this match with Savio Vega and Fatu.
Radford tags in and taunts Hakushi. The Kid superkicks Hakushi in the back of the head. Radford covers Hakushi and pulls the tights for the elimination.
Hakushi has been eliminated by Rad Radford.
Barry Horowitz becomes the legal man and runs in to check on his friend, Hakushi. Radford attacks him, and the Kid tags in. Kid hits a vertical suplex and floats into a cover for a two-count. Kid gets Horowitz in the corner and hits some kicks before dropping him with a spin kick to the jaw. Kid sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Horowitz takes it to the Kid, but Kid quickly regains the advantage. Radford tags in and stomps away at Horowitz. Radford hits a gutwrench suplex. 1… 2… Radford pulls Horowitz’s shoulders off the mat. Horowitz comes back with a jawbreaker. Horowitz sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Radford hits a stiff clothesline and covers, but he pulls Horowitz’s shoulders off the mat again. Sunny says they’re having fun with Horowitz. Radford delivers a headbutt to the midsection before sending him to the corner. Radford hits a snapmare, followed by a rolling neck snapper. Radford chokes Horowitz before hitting a northern lights suplex for a two-count. Skip and Radford do some jumping jacks. Radford then does a brutal push-up. Horowitz catches Radford with a roll-up for the elimination.
Rad Radford has been eliminated by Barry Horowitz.
Skip yells at Radford before turning to face Horowitz. Skip looks nervous. Horowitz punches away at Skip before throwing him across the ring. Horowitz hits a back elbow, followed by a running high knee. Horowitz sends him into the ropes, but Skip ducks a clothesline. Kid blind tags in and attacks Horowitz from behind before dropping a leg for the elimination.
Barry Horowitz has been eliminated by The 1-2-3 Kid.
Marty Jannetty comes in as the final man on his team. The BodyDonnas still have The 1-2-3 Kid and Skip. Skip tags in and backs Jannetty to the corner. Skip hits a shoulder thrust and punches him. Skip sends him to the opposite corner and charges, but Jannetty moves. Jannetty goes to kick him on the turnbuckles, but the referee stops him. Jannetty sends Skip into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Skip punches Jannetty and sends him to the opposite corner. Jannetty goes for a slingshot over him, but Skip catches him. Jannetty slides off and goes for a German Suplex. Skip gets out of that and goes for a powerbomb, but Jannetty counters with a roll-up for a two-count. Skip sends Jannetty to the corner, but he lowers his head. Jannetty counters with the Rocker Dropper. Mr. Perfect says, “That’ll break your neck,” alluding to the tragic incident where Jannetty inadvertently paralyzed enhancement talent Chuck Austin with that move in 1990. Pretty tasteless comment. Jannetty goes to the top rope, but Skip cuts him off. Jannetty counters with a powerbomb off the top rope for the elimination!
Skip has been eliminated by Marty Jannetty.
It’s down to The 1-2-3 Kid and Marty Jannetty. Kid immediately attacks him and heads to the top rope for a diving leg drop. 1… 2… Jannetty kicks out. Kid sends him to the corner and rocks him with a corner dropkick. Jannetty tries to fight back, but the Kid cuts him off. Kid hits a scoop slam and taunts the crowd before heading to the top rope. Kid goes for a somersault leg drop, but Jannetty moves.
Both men are down. They slowly get up, and Jannetty takes it to the Kid. Jannetty punches away at him in the corner before kicking him in the midsection. Jannetty sends him into the ropes for a dropkick to pick up a two-count. Jannetty punches away at the face. Sycho Sid makes his way down to the ring. Sid is part of DiBiase’s Million Dollar Corporation. Jannetty hits Kid with a spinning back elbow. Jannetty drives Kid down on his face and stares at Sid. Kid reverses a whip, but Jannetty fires back with a Rocker Dropper. Jannetty celebrates before covering. 1… 2… Kid gets a foot on the bottom rope. Jannetty pulls the foot away and covers for a near fall. DiBiase gets on the apron to distract the referee. Sid then snaps Jannetty’s neck off the top rope, and Kid covers him for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The BodyDonnas (The 1-2-3 Kid is the Sole Survivor)
Ted DiBiase gets in the ring to check on The 1-2-3 Kid and helps him up. Kid runs into Sid’s arms. Sid lifts him high in the air. The Million Dollar Corporation is standing tall.
Backstage Segment
Razor Ramon is apoplectic over The 1-2-3 Kid’s tainted victory. Ramon flips the table over with the television monitor on it and throws the television against the wall. Fatu, Savio Vega, and Henry O. Godwinn try to calm him down.
Mike’s Thoughts: Solid opener to the Survivor Series. When I was typing up the line-up, I thought it might be a dud, so I was definitely happy and surprised. There were some good moments for everyone. I forgot how good and smooth Hakushi was. He was ahead of his time for the WWF, which is one of many missed opportunities in the company’s history. They’ve always been inconsistent, to flat-out horrible, with their booking of foreign talent. The finish was the right one with The 1-2-3 Kid having turned on the Raw before this show.
A few interesting changes were made to this. Jean-Pierre Lafitte (today’s PCO) was supposed to be in the match, but he was injured at a show at the Nassau Coliseum on November 10 and had to be replaced by The 1-2-3 Kid. Lafitte wound up having hernia surgery. A second change was made to put Bob Holly in over Avatar (Al Snow). Holly, along with Kama, Lafitte, and Bam Bam Bigelow, had expressed a lot of unhappiness in the prior week over not getting booked for enough dates. To appease Holly, they put him in this match over Avatar, thinking a PPV payoff would make him happy. It worked because Holly would work in the company for another decade.
Now, during the match, Mr. Perfect quipped that the Rocker Dropper can “break your neck,” a line that, given when it had happened just a few years earlier, was pretty tasteless in my view. It doesn’t have much to do with the Monday Night War, but why can’t I talk about more wrestling history? Let’s step into the History Corner…
History Corner: The Chuck Austin Incident
In December 1990, the World Wrestling Federation hit Tampa, Florida, for a live event taping. The Rockers, consisting of Marty Jannetty and Shawn Michaels, were a cool, fast-paced, high-flying tag team and were scheduled to have an enhancement/squash match. For the evening, they were scheduled to face Lanny Poffo and a man named Chuck Austin.
Chuck Austin was a former football player for the University of North Carolina. His dreams of making it to the NFL didn’t pan out, so like many former athletes, he wanted to try his hand at professional wrestling. After training for six months, he felt confident enough in his abilities to approach the WWF staff in Tampa and offer to be a jobber. They accepted, believing he had the requisite experience to pull it off, and put him in the match, tagging with Poffo against the Rockers.
The match was fine until the end. Jannetty went to hit his Rocker Dropper on Austin, but Austin, apparently in his inexperience, went too high and came down on his head like a DDT. He was paralyzed upon impact. Jannetty, who wasn’t aware of the severity of the injury at that moment, rolled Austin over and tagged Michaels in for the finish.
In 1991, after asking the WWF to cover his medical expenses, only for them to refuse, Austin sued Jannetty and the company for assault and battery, looking for $38 million. In 1994, a jury awarded him $26.7 million and ordered Jannetty to pay $500,000 of it. The WWF would appeal and settle out of court for $10 million. To this day, Austin is paralyzed and experiences significant pain due to the trauma.
Even though Mr. Perfect had been out of the company for a while at this point, Vince McMahon couldn’t have been happy with that comment, having just paid out the $10 million a year before. It was a tasteless remark, but unfortunately, that’s sometimes wrestling history.
Anyway, back to the show.
Backstage Interview
Todd Pettingill is backstage with Owen Hart, Yokozuna, Dean Douglas, Jim Cornette, and Mr. Fuji. Cornette says Razor Ramon is a tough man who takes his frustrations out on a television. It won’t do him any good in a wrestling match. They didn’t want him anyway, but he’d better get focused on winning for their team. Hart says they’re coming to fight right away. Douglas says they are united and ready to take on four of the best in the WWF. Ramon had better get his head on straight in this Wild Card Match.
4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
Bertha Faye, Aja Kong, Tomoko Watanabe, and Lioness Asuka w/ Harvey Wippleman vs. WWF Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze, Kyoko Inoue, Sakie Hasegawa, and Chaparita Asari
Referees: Mike Chioda and Jack Doan (ringside official)
The bell rings, and Bertha Faye shouts at the crowd to sit down and shut up. Chaparita Asari starts off against Lioness Asuka. Asuka hits some nasty strikes and a stiff spin kick. Asuka hits Asari with a giant swing for a two-count. Asari bridges out of the pin. Asari flips through a back suplex and tags Alundra Blayze in. Blayze takes Asuka down and connects with a scoop slam. Asari tags in and comes off the top rope with a corkscrew elbow drop! Jim Ross calls it the Sky Twister Press. Blayze tags in, but Asuka reverses a whip and chops her down. Asuka sends Blayze into the ropes, but Blayze ducks another chop and hits a bridging German Suplex for the elimination.
Lioness Asuka has been eliminated by Alundra Blayze.
Tomoko Watanabe comes in and attacks Blayze. Watanabe goes to the top rope and goes for a moonsault, but Blayze was already well out of the way. Watanabe rolls out of the ring to recover, so Blayze comes off the top rope with a crossbody block to the floor. Blayze gets Watanabe into the ring and hits a hairmare. Sakie Hasegawa comes in and hits Watanabe with five double arm suplexes. Mr. Perfect wonders what happened to the “all-American lady,” and says they should be homemaking their man something to eat. Hasegawa sends Watanabe into the ropes, but she floors her with a seated senton. Watanabe goes to the top rope for a flying seated senton for a two-count. Aja Kong tags in and strikes away at Hasegawa, followed by a chop. Hasegawa responds with a spin kick, followed by a devastating half nelson suplex! Hasegawa hits a second one for a two-count. Hasegawa comes off the top rope, but Kong kicks her out of mid-air. Kong hits a sick Saito Suplex for the elimination.
Sakie Hasegawa has been eliminated by Aja Kong.
Asari runs in, but Kong easily runs her over. Kong taunts the crowd and hits Asari with a scoop slam. Kong comes off the second rope with a splash for the elimination.
Chaparita Asari has been eliminated by Aja Kong.
Blayze runs in, but Kong kicks away at her legs. Blayze comes back with an enzuigiri before tagging Kyoko Inoue into the match. Inoue hits Kong with a pair of clotheslines. Kong reverses a whip, but Inoue goes to counter with a sunset flip. Kong counters that counter by sitting on her for the elimination. It looks like Inoue kicked out before the three-count.
Kyoko Inoue has been eliminated by Aja Kong.
Blayze enters the match in a 3-on-1 disadvantage. The WWF Women’s Champion points at them, and all three women approach her. Blayze tries to attack them, but she’s overwhelmed. Bertha Faye takes it to her before tagging Watanabe in. Blayze hits Watanabe with a hairmare, followed by a snap suplex. The referee counts to three, but Watanabe gets the shoulder up before. Blayze slaps the mat in frustration. Blayze goes for a powerbomb on Watanabe, but she can’t get her up. Blayze finally powers her up, but she nearly loses her, so they transition into a piledriver for the elimination.
Tomoko Watanabe has been eliminated by Alundra Blayze.
Faye attacks Blayze and sends her to the corner. Faye avalanches her and hits a snapmare. Faye powers her up and sends her into the ropes for a strike. Faye sends her into the ropes and ducks a spinkick. Kong runs in, but Faye accidentally avalanches her. Blayze hits Faye with a bridging German Suplex for the elimination.
Bertha Faye has been eliminated by Alundra Blayze.
It’s down to Blayze and Kong. Kong grabs Blayze and headbutts her several times. Kong sends her to the opposite corner, but Blayze rolls up the turnbuckles. Kong attacks her going to the top rope and hits a superplex from the second rope. Kong picks up a two-count. Kong signals for the end. Blayze ducks a spinning back fist and applies a waistlock, but Kong backs her to the corner before hitting some midsection thrusts. Blayze quickly kicks her away and hits the ropes. Blayze hits a hurricanrana into a roll-up for a near fall. Blayze goes to the second rope and hits a missile dropkick. Blayze connects with a standing moonsault for another two-count. Blayze goes to the top rope, but Kong pulls her down and taunts the crowd. Kong goes to the second rope, but Blayze kicks her. Kong quickly fights her off and sends her into the ropes for a nasty avalanche. Kong sends her into the ropes for another avalanche. Kong celebrates and signals that it’s over. Kong floors Blayze with a nasty spinning back fist. 1… 2… 3. Kong has pinned the WWF Women’s Champion.
Winners by Pinfall: Bertha Faye, Aja Kong, Tomoko Watanabe, and Lioness Asuka (Aja Kong is the Sole Survivor)
Mike’s Thoughts: This was very typical of how women were booked in the WWF for years and years. There was real talent in this match, especially among the Japanese wrestlers, but the WWF rushed them through it like they just wanted it over with. There were fast eliminations. In a few cases, Mike Chioda counted three at the wrong time, perhaps trying to speed the match up even more. There was one point where Alundra Blayze slaps the mat in pure frustration about what was going on. They did do a good job of making Aja Kong look dominant, setting her up for a future Women’s Championship match… that would never wind up happening.
Amazingly, this is the last time the WWF would feature women wrestling on a PPV in any capacity until WrestleMania XIV in March 1998… nearly two and a half years later. That event saw Sable team with Marc Mero to beat The Artist Formerly Known as Goldust (yes, the Goldust character will get weirder as this series goes on) and Luna Vachon. They wouldn’t have a match featuring only women until a month after that, with Luna Vachon facing Sable in an Evening Gown Match, but saying that’s a true match is kind of a stretch. A true match would come at Survivor Series 1998, three years after this match, when Sable faced Jacqueline for the recently reinstated WWF Women’s Championship.
Why is there a three-year gap between women’s matches on PPV? Well, something big is going to happen with Alundra Blayze in the coming weeks. Something legendary, even. Something that will be shown in replays as something quintessential about the Monday Night War for decades to come. Those who know, know. Those who don’t, stay tuned!
Todd Pettingill is at ringside with an actor pretending to be President Bill Clinton. They are presenting him as if he were actually Clinton. Clinton says he’s enjoying the show. Bam Bam Bigelow heads to the ring. Clinton thinks Bam Bam is from The Flintstones. Pettingill says Clinton’s administration is out of touch, and he’s starting to understand that. Pyro goes off in the ring for Bigelow, and “Secret Service” jumps on him.
Mike’s Thoughts: This is embarrassing. What purpose does this serve?
As Goldust makes his entrance, a taped promo shows him quoting Planet of the Apes from 1968. The night is upon us. The curtain will soon rise. Bam Bam Bigelow is about to be faced with tragedies only experienced in his nightmares. He’ll remember the name of Goldust.
Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Goldust
Referee: Mike Chioda
The bell rings to start the match, and Goldust squats down in the ring. Goldust rubs his body, and Bigelow looks disgusted. Bigelow goes to lock up with him, but Goldust punches him back. Goldust drops to his knees and uppercuts him. Goldust chokes him on the top rope and punches him in the midsection. Bigelow reverses a whip, but Goldust holds the ropes and gets out of the ring. Goldust takes a few moments before getting back in the ring. They lock up, and Goldust applies a hammerlock before slapping him in the face. Bigelow furiously punches him down before sending him to the opposite corner. Goldust boots him back as he charges, but Bigelow quickly responds with a dropkick. Goldust rolls out of the ring, sweeps the feet, and pulls Bigelow out with him. Goldust punches him at ringside. Bigelow ducks a shot, and Goldust connects with the ring post.
Bigelow rolls Goldust into the ring, but Goldust attacks him as he gets in. Goldust hits the ropes and clotheslines the Beast from the East over the top rope. Goldust taunts the crowd as the referee starts counting Bigelow out. Bigelow takes a few moments to recover before getting back in the ring at six. Goldust punches away at him as he gets in the ring. Goldust chokes him in the corner. Bigelow soon kicks and headbutts him back. Goldust stuns him with a shot to the midsection, followed by a knee lift for a two-count. Goldust applies a front facelock. Goldust holds it for a moment before getting Bigelow to his feet and sending him over the top rope. Goldust attacks him at ringside and bounces him off the ring steps. Goldust attacks him as he gets in the ring, but Bigelow fights back and connects with a back suplex.
Bigelow takes a moment to recover and goes for a falling headbutt, but Goldust rolls out of the way. Goldust powers him over for a two-count. Goldust tries to roll over him before going for a rear chin lock. Bigelow fights up and gets Goldust on his shoulders for the electric chair drop. Goldust is first up and punches away at him from his knees. Bigelow knocks him back, but Goldust is quickly back on the offensive. Goldust sends him into the ropes and hits a diving clothesline, followed by a knee drop for a two-count. Goldust goes back to the rear chin lock. Bigelow fights up and hits another back suplex. Goldust is back on his feet, so Bigelow hits a trio of clotheslines for a two-count. Bigelow sends him to the corner, and Goldust drops to his knees in pain. Goldust sidesteps an avalanche and hits a bulldog for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Goldust
Mike’s Thoughts: That was a painfully boring match. These two didn’t match up well at all. It was kind of odd to watch Bigelow take so much offense while giving so little. I get that they’re still debuting Goldust, but I’m sure they laid the match out like this because this was Bam Bam Bigelow’s final match for the WWF.
How did Bam Bam Bigelow go from being in the Main Event of WrestleMania XI earlier this year against Lawrence Taylor, a HUGE spot, to doing the job on the way out to Goldust a few months later? What’s that? Another History Corner?
History Corner: The Rise and Fall of Bam Bam Bigelow
What a year 1995 was for Bam Bam Bigelow. It’s kind of surreal to watch this match knowing it was his final night in the WWF. Even after the merger with WCW in 2001, he opted out of returning and waited for his contract to expire. Just eight months earlier, this man was in the Main Event of WrestleMania XI against the football great Lawrence Taylor, a huge spot that was followed closely by some mainstream media. Bigelow was picked for this spot because they trusted he would be able to carry Taylor to a passable match, which he most certainly did. As one of the most gifted big men the business had ever seen, he was agile, believable, unique, and respected. If a WrestleMania main event is supposed to cement a career at the top, Bigelow should have been set for life after that performance.
Instead? It turned out to be the peak before a rapid decline.
Backstage politics, especially involving The Kliq, played a huge part in his downward trajectory. With Diesel and Shawn Michaels already being positioned at the top (and Bret Hart always in the mix), there simply wasn’t enough room for another rising star. Rather than capitalizing on his momentum, the WWF repeatedly cooled him off. Losses piled up, storylines fizzled, and his babyface run, which I think was getting over, was pretty much smothered. By the fall of 1995, Bigelow was barely booked and wasn’t looked at as a main event player anymore. He was enhancement talent for the next project.
As I mentioned earlier in this recap, Bigelow was frustrated and part of a group of wrestlers who basically gave the company an ultimatum regarding their lack of booking. And so here we are: from WrestleMania main event to mid-card exit in half a year. This, to me, is one of the biggest wastes of momentum in the company’s history.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the end of his career. Bigelow went on to have a fantastic run in ECW before moving to WCW and doing pretty well there. I think people remember him as one of the best big men to ever get into a pair of wrestling boots. Sadly, he lost his life to drugs at 45, so he never got to come back to WWE and have another final moment. His WWF story ended here, quietly, on a night most fans didn’t even realize was his last. This guy belongs in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Anyway, back to the show.
Todd Pettingill is at ringside with “President Bill Clinton” and Bob Backlund. Backlund disrespects the president over the government shutdown. Clinton says he’d like Backlund to run in the presidential race of 1996.
Video: This past June at King of the Ring, Mabel, with the help of Kama, defeated The Undertaker. Mabel would go on to win the King of the Ring Tournament. Last month on Raw, Mabel and Yokozuna worked together to injure the Undertaker.
Jerry “The King” Lawler is in the ring with The Royals, consisting of King Mabel, Isaac Yankem, and Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Lawler calls the crowd commoners and peons. They are in the presence of royalty. He’s got his royal dentist, the regal blueblood, and himself. Lawler then introduces King Mabel to the ring. King Mabel is carried down to the ring on a throne with Sir Mo leading the way.
Savio Vega, Henry O. Godwinn, and “Make a Difference” Fatu of The Darkside head to the ring.
The Undertaker then makes his return for the first time since having his orbital socket crushed. Paul Bearer leads the way. Undertaker is wearing a silver protective mask that makes him look extra intimidating. King Mabel nervously looks at him.
4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
The Royals (Jerry “The King” Lawler, Isaac Yankem, DDS, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and King Mabel) w/ Sir Mo vs. The Darkside (Savio Vega, Henry O. Godwinn, “Make a Difference” Fatu, and The Undertaker) w/ Paul Bearer
Referees: Jack Doan and Mike Chioda (ringside official)
The Undertaker wants to start the match against King Mabel, but Mabel declines. It’ll be Fatu starting against Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Helmsley does his Blueblood Bow, so Fatu tells him to kiss his rear end. Fatu ducks a clothesline and punches Helmsley down twice. Fatu sends him into the ropes for a back body drop, followed by a clothesline. Fatu sends Helmsley into the ropes, but he lowers his head. Helmsley goes for a Pedigree, but he makes eye contact with the Undertaker and becomes distracted. Helmsley kicks Fatu and bounces him off the turnbuckle. Fatu doesn’t feel it and takes Helmsley down. Henry O. Godwinn tags in, and Helmsley falls down trying to avoid him. Jerry “The King” Lawler tags in, but Lawler wants none of Godwinn. Isaac Yankem tags in and clotheslines Godwinn from behind. Yankem punches Godwinn before having a whip reversed. Godwinn hits a hip toss, followed by a scoop slam and an elbow drop. Godwinn clubs the back and applies a side headlock, but Yankem whips him hard into the corner. Yankem connects with a back suplex before tagging Helmsley in. Helmsley punches Godwinn and hits an uppercut. Helmsley chokes Godwinn on the middle rope and digs his boot into his throat. Sir Mo gets some cheap shots in before Mike Chioda admonishes him. Helmsley sends Godwinn into the ropes and hits a high knee for a near fall. Helmsley uppercuts Godwinn, but Godwinn sends him into the ropes, presses him above his head, impressively holds him there for a bit, and threatens to throw him over the top rope. The referee stops him, so Godwinn slams him to the mat.
Lawler tags in, so Godwinn tags Savio Vega in. Vega hits Lawler with a hip toss and dances in front of him. Lawler is not happy. They lock up, and Lawler hits a rabbit punch. Vega reverses a whip, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Lawler mocks Vega’s dance, so Vega dropkicks him down. Fatu tags in and attacks the King. Fatu bounces Lawler’s face off the turnbuckle several times before hitting a headbutt. Lawler reverses a whip, and Yankem knees Fatu in the back. Lawler then takes Fatu down. Yankem tags in. Yankem hits a scoop slam, followed by a leg drop. King Mabel tags in. Yankem whips Mabel toward Fatu, but Fatu sidesteps him. Vega tags in and takes it to Mabel, who is stunned. Vega hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but Mabel soon hits him with a big side slam. Mabel punches Vega to his corner. The referee gets distracted, and the Royals attack Vega. Mabel backs Vega to the corner and sends him flying with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Yankem tags in. Mabel and Yankem hit Vega with a double headbutt. Yankem chokes Vega on the ropes, and the Royals get some cheap shots in. Yankem sends Vega to the ropes and hits a dropkick. Yankem applies a nervehold and tags Helmsley in. Helmsley and Fatu get into it, distracting the referee and letting the Royals interfere more. Helmsley drops an elbow on Vega for a two-count. Helmsley punches and kicks Vega in the corner before Mabel hits a clothesline from the apron. Lawler tags in. Helmsley looks like he wants to do a wishbone split on Vega, but Lawler is mugging too much to the crowd. Helmsley frustratedly pushes Vega’s leg aside and leaves the ring. Lawler grabs Vega and connects with his patented Piledriver. Lawler poses before covering for a near fall. Yankem tags in and attacks Vega. Helmsley tags in and kicks Vega. Vega fights back and attacks the Royals. Helmsley cuts him off and sends him into the ropes, but Vega counters with a sambo suplex. Lawler tags in and hits a second Piledriver. Vega pops up and tags in The Undertaker.
Undertaker comes in to a huge reaction. Lawler looks terrified and goes for a tag, but all the Royals get off the apron. Undertaker grabs him by the throat with both hands and lifts the King of Memphis up before throwing him down. Lawler goes for a tag, but everyone ditches him again. Undertaker grabs Lawler and hits him with a Tombstone Piledriver for the elimination.
Jerry “The King” Lawler has been eliminated by The Undertaker.
Yankem runs in and attacks the Undertaker. Yankem sends Undertaker into the ropes, but Undertaker ducks a clothesline and hits a diving lariat. Undertaker scoops Yankem up and hits a Tombstone Piledriver for the elimination.
Isaac Yankem, DDS, has been eliminated by The Undertaker.
Helmsley comes in, but he’s too scared and leaves the ring. Helmsley goes to leave, but Godwinn threatens him with the slop bucket. Helmsley gets on the apron, so Undertaker grabs him and Chokeslams him into the ring for the elimination.
Hunter Hearst Helmsley has been eliminated by The Undertaker.
King Mabel gets in and attacks Undertaker with a belly-to-belly side suplex. Mabel hits the ropes and drops a leg, which is the same move that crushed Undertaker’s face. Mabel dances around until the Undertaker sits up! Mabel looks terrified and gets out of the ring. Sir Mo runs in and is surrounded by The Darkside. The referee counts Mabel out.
Winners by Countout: The Darkside (Clean Sweep)
The Undertaker hits Sir Mo with a huge Chokeslam. The Darkside stands tall.
Mike’s Thoughts: I love that classic Undertaker look with the creepy facemask on. That was a great payoff from the Paul Bearer promos about how Undertaker’s face was disfigured from the attack by Mabel and Yokozuna on Raw in October. In reality, his orbital socket was fractured during a House Show match against Mabel on October 7 in Providence. Pretty scary injury that he returned from pretty quickly. The match itself was kind of dead until the Undertaker tagged in and cleaned house.
Vince McMahon asks Jim Ross who the British Bulldog will face at the December In Your House. Ross says Diesel will retain the WWF Championship.
Video: Earlier today, Bret “Hitman” Hart said he’s not going to worry about facing the British Bulldog in December. He’s got to worry about the battle in front of him. Hart is worried about the match with Diesel. He’s had two big matches against him. Hart feels like Wayne Gretzky and wonders if he’s the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Today, he’ll find out. The truck stops here for Diesel. Diesel will be excellently executed. Diesel doesn’t have the technical ability to get by him. It’ll be a dogfight, but Diesel is going down.
Video: WWF Champion Diesel says he wants to look at the facts. If Bret Hart didn’t get involved, Bulldog would have been defeated. Now, he has to go through Hart to get another shot at the Bulldog. Diesel agrees that Hart has the advantage, but Big Daddy Cool isn’t getting paid by the hour. He’s going in there to do one thing only: high-impact power moves like only he can do. The WWF has been running on Diesel power for the last year. It’s ironic that at Survivor Series, he doubts Hart will survive.
Backstage Interview
Todd Pettingill is backstage with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Sycho Sid, The British Bulldog, and Jim Cornette. The Wild Card Match is next. Pettingill mentions that Cornette was with the opposing team earlier, shocking Sid and DiBiase. Cornette says he’s on Bulldog’s side. DiBiase says he doesn’t care who is on his team as long as they win and bring the cash. Nobody crosses the Million Dollar Man. Shawn Michaels and Ahmed Johnson come in. Michaels says they need to get focused. This Wild Card match is wild.
4-on-4 Survivor Series Wild Card Elimination Match
Yokozuna, Owen Hart, Dean Douglas, and WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon w/ Mr. Fuji vs. The British Bulldog, Sycho Sid, Ahmed Johnson, and “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels w/ Jim Cornette and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
Referees: Tim White and Jack Doan (ringside official)
These two teams, each containing superstars who do not get along, tensely try to figure out who will start the match.
It will be Shawn Michaels, with a fresh pink scar still on his cheek from the vicious beating he took in Syracuse, New York, in October, who will start against Owen Hart. This is HBK’s first televised match since before relinquishing the WWF Intercontinental Championship at the October In Your House. They lock up, and Hart whips him off. Hart shoulder tackles him down and hits the ropes, but Hart pops up and hits a hip toss. HBK quickly kicks him away and avoids a scoop slam. Hart sends him over the top rope, but HBK skins the cat and catches him with a head-scissor takeover to the outside. HBK goes over the top rope as Jim Cornette talks to Hart. HBK ducks a swing of the tennis racket and grabs it from Cornette. HBK kicks Cornette and smacks him on his rear end with the racket. HBK attacks Hart and puts him in the ring. Hart reverses a whip and hits a belly-to-belly suplex.
Dean Douglas tags in and punches away at HBK, punching him down to the canvas. Douglas was supposed to face HBK at In Your House in October. Douglas hits a suplex, followed by a boot to the head. Douglas punches away at HBK in the corner before having a whip reversed on him. HBK hits a flying forearm to take him down. HBK stomps Douglas’s face before coming off the top rope with a double ax handle. HBK covers for a two-count. HBK sends him to the corner and charges, but Douglas knees him in the jaw. Douglas connects with a scoop slam and goes to the second rope for a slingshot splash, but HBK moves. HBK goes to the top rope and hits a moonsault block. 1… 2… Hart breaks it up. Ahmed Johnson tags in and clotheslines Douglas down before hitting Hart with a back body drop. Johnson hits Douglas with a scissor kick before smashing Hart with a bicycle kick. Yokozuna comes in, and Johnson attempts a scoop slam, but Douglas and Hart cut him off. Yokozuna takes it to Johnson and rips at the face. Yokozuna rakes Johnson’s back before tagging Douglas in. Douglas punches away at Johnson and applies a rear chin lock. Mr. Fuji waves the Japanese flag in front of the hard camera. Douglas attacks the British Bulldog and goes back to Johnson. Hart runs in without being tagged, and the referee allows him to remain the legal man. Douglas and Yokozuna hold Johnson up as Razor Ramon gets some cheap shots in. Douglas tags in. Douglas and Hart send Johnson into the ropes for a double clothesline to pick up a two-count. Johnson reverses a whip and hits a scary scoop powerslam. HBK tags in, and Johnson presses him over his head before throwing him into Douglas for a two-count. HBK sizes Douglas up for Sweet Chin Music, but Douglas quickly gets out of the ring. Ramon goes to talk to Douglas, but Douglas shoves his partner away. They are normally enemies. HBK rolls Douglas up, but Douglas rolls through for a two-count. Ramon pops up on the apron, blocks a punch from Douglas (his partner), and punches him back. HBK rolls Douglas up for the elimination.
Dean Douglas has been eliminated by Shawn Michaels.
Hart runs in, but HBK hits a drop toehold. The British Bulldog tags in, and the two brothers-in-law prepare to square off. Bulldog shoves Hart, so Hart shoves him back. This match-up is courtesy of the Wild Card stipulation. Bulldog wants a handshake, but they soon start throwing punches. Bulldog leapfrogs him and hits a monkey flip. Hart reverses a whip, drops down, and connects with a spinning heel kick. Hart covers for a two-count.
HBK tags in, and Hart tags Ramon in. HBK and Ramon prepare to square off. Ramon takes HBK down twice before HBK sends him over the top rope. Ramon gets in the ring and quickly clotheslines him down. HBK soon catches him with a back elbow. HBK and Ramon hit the ropes before HBK hits a flying forearm. HBK does a kip-up and sends Ramon into the ropes. HBK lowers his head, and Ramon attempts a Razor’s Edge. Ramon connects with the Razor’s Edge! 1… 2… Johnson breaks it up. Both men are down. They’re soon up, and HBK reverses a whip. HBK lowers his head, and Ramon knees him in the face. They’re both down again. Ramon gets up, and HBK whips him into the ropes. They then clunk heads. HBK slowly gets up and tags Sycho Sid in. Sid attacks Ramon with some clubs before punching him in the corner. Sid chokes Ramon before hitting a hip toss. Sid sizes him up and hits a running stomp. Sid stomps him a few more times before yelling at the crowd. Sid goes for more stomps, but Yokozuna runs in to save his partner. Sid knocks him back and keeps stomping Ramon. Sid clubs the back a few times before Ramon responds with some right hands. Sid reverses a whip, but Ramon ducks a clothesline. They wipe each other out with a double clothesline. Sid slowly gets up and goes to the top rope. Ramon cuts him off and slams him down to the canvas for a near fall. Ramon punches Sid a few times before going for a clothesline, but Sid ducks and hits a chokeslam. Sid signals for the end and forces HBK in with a tag. Sid holds Ramon up. HBK goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Ramon ducks, and Sid eats it. HBK shrugs and goes to the apron. Ramon covers. 1… 2… Bulldog runs in and does… something. It looks like it was supposed to be an attack on Ramon. Ramon no sells it and covers Sid for the elimination.
Sycho Sid has been eliminated by Razor Ramon.
Bulldog runs in and attacks Ramon. Bulldog headbutts him. As he does, Sid brings HBK into the ring the hard way and hits him with a vicious Powerbomb. Sid walks off with DiBiase. Bulldog stomps away at Ramon. It’s unclear how HBK is considered the legal man. Ramon eventually crawls over and covers HBK. 1… 2… HBK barely kicks out. Hart tags in and grabs HBK’s legs before stomping the midsection. Hart hits a backbreaker and stomps away at him. Hart sends him into the ropes and hits a back body drop. Hart headbutts HBK and tags Yokozuna in. Yokozuna punches HBK down before pulling him up and whipping him hard into the opposite corner. HBK rolls up the turnbuckles before falling to the canvas. Yokozuna hits a snapmare and applies a nervehold. HBK starts to fight up, but Hart runs in to stomp him down. HBK soon fights up and elbows out. HBK hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but Yokozuna catches him on the rebound with a back elbow. Hart tags back in and hits a double headbutt with Yokozuna. Hart hits HBK with a snap suplex before heading to the top rope. HBK avoids a diving headbutt.
Johnson tags in and runs Hart over with a clothesline. Ramon runs in and eats a clothesline as well. Johnson attacks everyone, including Yokozuna. Hart attacks Johnson and sends him into the ropes. Johnson quickly comes back with a Pearl River Plunge for the elimination.
Owen Hart has been eliminated by Ahmed Johnson.
Ramon runs in and soon boots Johnson back. Johnson looks out and is wobbling around. Ramon goes to the second rope for a diving bulldog, but Johnson appears to have forgotten the spot. Ramon gets down and hits him with a regular bulldog. Ramon punches HBK and Bulldog down. Ramon grabs Johnson, but Johnson reverses a whip and hits a nasty spinebuster. Johnson poses on the ropes, so Ramon surprises him with a Razor’s Edge. Bulldog quickly attacks Ramon and headbutts him. Apparently, Bulldog tagged in while Johnson was posing. Bulldog beats Ramon down. Ramon fights back and hits Bulldog with a fallaway slam.
The Million Dollar Corporation, consisting of Ted DiBiase, Sycho Sid, and The 1-2-3 Kid, makes their way to the ring. Ramon hits Bulldog with a clothesline. Kid grabs Ramon’s feet and gets on the apron, so Ramon punches him down. Bulldog scoops Ramon up and hits a Running Powerslam for the elimination.
WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon has been eliminated by The British Bulldog.
Yokozuna gets in the ring and squares off against HBK. It’s 3-on-1 with Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, and The British Bulldog against Yokozuna. HBK punches away at Yokozuna. Yokozuna fights back with a right hand. Yokozuna connects with a scoop slam and stands around for a moment before dropping a leg. Yokozuna drags the unconscious HBK to the corner and climbs the ropes for a Banzai Drop. HBK moves out of the way at the last second! HBK gets up and looks woozy before tagging Johnson in.
Johnson gets in the ring and grabs Yokozuna for a scoop slam! Johnson has slammed Yokozuna for a second time! Johnson covers, but Bulldog, Johnson’s partner, breaks up the pin! HBK and Johnson get in Bulldog’s face before attacking him and hitting a clothesline over the top rope. HBK hits Yokozuna with Sweet Chin Music. Johnson hits the ropes and lets out an odd scream as he hits a big splash for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The British Bulldog, Sycho Sid, Ahmed Johnson, and Shawn Michaels (Bulldog, Johnson, and Michaels are Survivors)
Mike’s Thoughts: The Wild Card match was a lot of fun. It was great to have Shawn Michaels back in action. His intensity was sorely missed from these shows since the brutal Syracuse incident (for a full breakdown on that, check out this Raw recap). This was a time when wrestlers routinely worked through injuries, severe and small. Undertaker worked three house shows with a fractured socket before he gave in to the pain. Basically, two weeks after nearly being beaten to death, Shawn Michaels started back on house shows at the start of November. The scar on his cheek from the beating was still a bright pink in this match. There’s no way his body was 100% ready to be back to the grind. Luckily, the storyline will play into him getting some rest and having a chance to fully recover (make sure to read tomorrow’s Raw recap!).
The match itself was good. The Wild Card thing was only done once, but I thought it added some flavor to what was already a sleepy concept of multiple Survivor Series Elimination Matches. Bulldog was kept looking strong at the end, ahead of his WWF Title match in December. They also did a little tease of Shawn Michaels looking woozy before his big angle the next night on Raw.
We go over to the Presidential Box to see the fake President Bill Clinton being fed popcorn by Sunny. Todd Pettingill asks Clinton if he’s enjoying himself. Clinton says he likes a perfect match with some snacks. Clinton pours some popcorn on Pettingill before putting one down on Sunny’s chest. Clinton says he may have a cabinet position for her and invites her to the White House. Sunny says she’d make a great Undersecretary.
Video: Diesel vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship.
The commentators discuss who they think will win the main event.
WWF Championship
Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel (c)
Referee: Earl Hebner
There will be no disqualification or countout in this match.
The bell rings, and Diesel immediately removes the top turnbuckle pad from his corner. Hart goes to his corner and removes the top turnbuckle pad. They stare at each other. Hart circles around Diesel and drives him into the corner before grabbing at his leg. Diesel quickly brings some heavy clubs down on Hart’s back and elbows him in the corner. Diesel knees him in the midsection twice before slinging him back into the corner. Diesel knees him in the midsection again and punches away at him. Hart tries to get out of the corner, but Diesel throws him back. Diesel throws some heavy punches until Hart falls through the ropes. Hart tries to catch his breath. Diesel calmly leaves the ring and goes down the ring steps before clubbing the challenger in the spine. Diesel lifts Hart and drops him chest-first on the metal barricade. Diesel is firmly in control and bounces Hart’s face off the apron. Diesel gets him into the ring and casually climbs the steps and enters the ring. Hart backs up and rolls out of the ring, but Diesel climbs over the top rope and quickly catches him at ringside, choking him with his boot. Diesel gets Hart in the ring and gets inside. Hart kicks back at him, but Diesel easily regains control with some heavy strikes, knocking Hart out of the ring again. Diesel grabs him at ringside and whips him hard into the steel steps. Diesel picks him up and drives him spine-first into the ring post. Diesel heads to the timekeeper’s area, throws him out of his seat, and takes the chair. Diesel smashes the chair off Hart’s back (Mr. Perfect was unaware this match has a No DQ stipulation) and gets Hart in the ring.
Diesel gets in the ring and whips Hart hard into the corner. Diesel connects with a short-arm clothesline before shouting, “I think you know what time it is!” Diesel signals for the Jackknife Powerbomb. Diesel sets Hart up for a Jackknife Powerbomb, but Hart holds Diesel’s legs to avoid going up. Diesel angrily clubs the back, but Hart elbows him and bites him. Hart twists the arm and starts punching away at Diesel before biting his forehead. Hart jumps on Diesel’s back and applies a sleeper hold before ripping at his face. Hart kicks Diesel in the knee several times before taking him off his feet. Hart drops an elbow on the knee. Hart snaps Diesel’s leg back and jumps on it as it leans on the ropes. Hart drags him to the center of the ring and applies a Figure Four Leglock. Diesel winces in pain as Hart cinches the hold in. Diesel claws to the bottom rope. Hart is holding the submission for a little longer due to the No DQ stipulation. Hart continues to attack the leg. Diesel is prone on the mat, holding his leg in pain. Hart drops an elbow on the leg and drives his knee into it. Hart sets up for the Sharpshooter, but Diesel pokes him in the eyes a few times to avoid it. Diesel then kicks him into the exposed turnbuckle. The back of Hart’s head smacks off the metal ring.
Diesel clubs away at Hart’s injured neck. Hart gets out of the ring, sweeps the feet, and smashes Diesel’s leg off the ring post. Hart grabs a cable from ringside and ties it around the ring post. Hart grabs Diesel and tries to tie him up, but Hart didn’t leave enough slack to tie it around his leg. Hart pulls him closer and is able to get a knot around Diesel’s ankle. Diesel slams his leg off Hart’s face to get him away. Diesel is tied to the ring post, and Hart comes off the second rope with a diving clothesline. Hart takes a moment before going to ringside and grabbing a chair. Hart gets in the ring with the chair. Diesel goes to boot him back, but he nearly falls over. Hart has to stop himself before advancing again. This time, Diesel boots him back. Diesel then falls over. Hart recovers and smashes the chair off Diesel’s back before smashing the edge into Diesel’s knee a few times. Hart drops some forearms on Diesel. Hart connects with a backbreaker and goes to ringside to grab the chair. Hart heads to the top rope with the chair, but Diesel crotches him up there before slamming him down to the canvas. Diesel then manages to untie himself from the corner.
Hart quickly gets him in the corner, but Diesel chokes him to keep him back. Diesel winces on his injured knee as he lifts Hart for a sidewalk slam to pick up a two-count. Diesel sends him sternum-first into the exposed turnbuckle. Hart is in a lot of pain. Diesel takes a moment to recover and leans Hart against the middle rope. Diesel cannot run, so he simply jumps onto Hart’s back. Diesel puts Hart over his shoulder and limps to the corner for snake eyes. Diesel grabs Hart and scoops him up again. Diesel goes for snake eyes on the exposed turnbuckle, but Hart slides off and smashes Diesel’s face off the exposed steel. Hart punches away at Diesel, who is looking dizzy. Hart hits the ropes and hits a clothesline for a two-count. Hart goes to the second rope and hits a diving bulldog for a two-count. Hart hits a side leg sweep and rolls into a cover for another near fall. Hart pulls Diesel to his feet and punches away at him before hitting a clothesline over the top rope. Hart sets up for a plancha, but he crashes and burns when Diesel moves. Diesel gets in the ring and takes a few moments to recover. Hart slowly recovers at ringside and pulls himself up. Hart pulls himself to the apron, and Diesel knocks him off the apron and through the commentary table! Wow!
Diesel slowly goes to ringside and clubs away at Hart’s spine. Diesel pulls Hart up and throws him into the ring. Diesel hobbles into the ring and signals for the end. Diesel puts Hart’s head between his legs and taunts, but Hart collapses to the mat. Hart looks to be unconscious. Diesel pulls Hart up, but Hart surprises him with an inside cradle for the win! New champion!
Winner by Pinfall and new WWF Champion: Bret “Hitman” Hart
Diesel shouts some expletives as he sits up and realizes his WWF Championship run is over. Diesel shoves referee Earl Hebner down and hits the new champion with a Jackknife Powerbomb. Referees Jack Doan, Mike Chioda, and Tim White run in, but Diesel strikes them all down. Diesel grabs Hart again and connects with another Jackknife Powerbomb. The crowd is shocked. Diesel grabs the WWF Championship and poses over Hart. Diesel shouts, “I’m back!” Diesel throws the WWF Championship onto Bret Hart and leaves the ring. Diesel pulls his straps down and raises his arms in victory as the crowd gives him a mixed reaction.
Video: Survivor Series 1995 highlights.
A somber Vince McMahon talks to the commentators about what happened after the WWF Championship match. Bret Hart is still down on the canvas as the referees check on him.
Mike’s Thoughts: What a great match. Diesel’s yearlong reign was marred by some pretty lame matches. To be fair to him, he didn’t have a ton of great talent to work with. I mean, he had to slog through a match with King Mabel at SummerSlam for goodness’ sake. And his feud with Sid? Awful. At least in the end, he ended it with a bang. And the Diesel heel turn right after? Well done.
Bret Hart and Diesel really showed up big time in this. The promos, particularly that side-by-side interview they did on Raw leading into this, were really good. They gave it the big fight feel with the staring to start the match and removing the turnbuckle pad. Then Diesel did what he said he would: he started the match by using his power to overwhelm and damage Hart. Then Hart did what he said he would do: the longer the match went on, the more exhausted Diesel would get, so he would capitalize on that. Then they had a great conclusion to the match. I love the small package out of nowhere to pick up the win. Really excellent. The only thing that was wonky was tying Diesel’s foot to the post. That almost blew up in their faces.
Still, this match is definitely famous for one thing: while it was happening a ton in ECW, it basically didn’t exist in the WWF… the table spot! Diesel putting Hart through the Spanish announce table at this event was the start of a proud (?) tradition of wrestlers doing that. It is so funny how low-tech the tables were back then. Basically, it was a piece of particleboard on some metal legs with a black tablecloth over it.
Overall, other than the incredibly cheesy and awful stuff with the Bill Clinton impersonator and the Goldust/Bam Bam Bigelow match, this was a rather good show. I can’t lie and say that Survivor Series has always been my favorite event (I wasn’t a huge fan of how redundant the Survivor Series matches were), but this was actually pretty palatable. I liked the Wild Card match in particular. This was a really good show in a year not known for really good shows.
Quick Match Results
— The BodyDonnas (Skip, Rad Radford, Dr. Tom Prichard, and The 1-2-3 Kid*) def. The Underdogs (Marty Jannetty, Hakushi, Barry Horowitz, and Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly) in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
— Bertha Faye, Aja Kong*, Tomoko Watanabe, and Lioness Asuka def. WWF Women’s Champion Alundra Blayze, Kyoko Inoue, Sakie Hasegawa, and Chaparita Asari in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
— Goldust def. Bam Bam Bigelow
— The Darkside (Savio Vega*, Henry O. Godwinn*, “Make a Difference” Fatu*, and The Undertaker*) def. The Royals (Jerry “The King” Lawler, Isaac Yankem, DDS, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and King Mabel) via CO in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series Elimination Match
— The British Bulldog*, Sycho Sid, Ahmed Johnson*, and “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels* def. Yokozuna, Owen Hart, Dean Douglas, and WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon in a 4-on-4 Survivor Series Wild Card Elimination Match
— Bret “Hitman” Hart def. “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel (c) in a No Disqualification, No Countout Match to win the WWF Championship
* denotes Survivor(s)
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!