WWF Monday Night Raw Results
December 18, 1995
Newark, Delaware (Bob Carpenter Center)
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: Vince McMahon narrates a highlight package showcasing the aggressive fights from last night’s In Your House event. At the end of the night, Diesel and The Undertaker went face-to-face. What happened? We’ll find out tonight.
Video: The battle on top of Titan Towers Raw intro video plays.
We go live into the Bob Carpenter Center to see some fireworks over the ring. Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show. Tonight, Yokozuna will challenge Razor Ramon for the WWF Intercontinental Championship. We’ll also get an update on the condition of Shawn Michaels. We’ll also get an update on the confrontation between Diesel and Undertaker.
Jeff Jarrett makes his way to the ring to an underwhelming reception.
Video: Last night at In Your House, Jeff Jarrett viciously attacked Ahmed Johnson with his framed gold CD.
Jeff Jarrett vs. “Make a Difference” Fatu
Referee: Tim White
The bell rings, and Jarrett ducks a lock-up before doing his trademark strut. They lock up, and Jarrett hooks a side headlock. Fatu whips him off, but Jarrett ducks a clothesline and avoids a superkick before doing his strut again. Fatu grabs Jarrett and punches him down twice before hitting a headbutt. Fatu grabs the legs and headbutts his midsection. Jarrett rolls out of the ring to recover, and Fatu mocks his strut. Fatu leaves the ring to get Jarrett. Jarrett asks for a timeout and retreats into the ring. Jarrett stomps Fatu as he gets in the ring. Fatu reverses a whip, but he lowers his head. Jarrett hits a DDT, but Fatu pops right up. Due to the thickness of his skull, he didn’t feel that. Fatu gyrates and goes for a right hand, but Jarrett sells it before he does anything. Vince McMahon mentions that Jarrett has some ring rust. Fatu sends him to the corner and charges, but Jarrett moves and hits a neckbreaker.
Jarrett stomps Fatu and chokes him on the middle rope. Jarrett hits the ropes and avalanches him against the ropes before taunting the crowd. Fatu rolls out of the ring, and Jarrett drives him into the ring steps.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Jarrett turns Fatu inside out with a kitchen sink knee to the midsection. Jarrett goes to the second rope and hits a double ax handle. Jarrett flexes his muscles and goes back to the second rope. Jarrett hits another double ax handle to the shoulder. Jarrett whips him hard into the corner and taunts the crowd. Jarrett whips him hard into the opposite corner before punching him in the face. Jarrett hits a snapmare and goes to the second rope. Jarrett leaps, but Fatu punches him in the midsection. Jarrett rebounds and tries for a whip, but Fatu reverses it and hits a snap powerslam.
Fatu sends Jarrett into the ropes and hits a back body drop, followed by a corner clothesline. McMahon says, “Like a choo-choo train!” Yikes. Fatu hits a backbreaker for a two-count. Fatu puts Jarrett in the corner and hits a running cutter. Fatu grabs his shoulder in pain. Jarrett has been working on the shoulder for the whole match. Jarrett drives the shoulder into the ring post, and Fatu collapses in pain. Jarrett sets up for a Figure Four Leglock, but Ahmed Johnson attacks him from behind. Johnson sends Jarrett into the ropes, but Jarrett holds on and pulls himself out of the ring to escape.
Winner by Disqualification: Jeff Jarrett
Ahmed Johnson checks on Fatu, who is in a lot of pain. Johnson helps Fatu up and holds his arm up in victory.
Mike’s Thoughts: You can almost hear the remote controls clicking during this match. Not a great way to kick off a live Raw. Jeff Jarrett’s return to crickets the night before wasn’t an anomaly. There was no heat for this either. It went way too long with not a lot happening, just to have a finish that lame with a quick run-in from Ahmed Johnson.
Dok Hendrix is in the crowd with Interim WWF President Gorilla Monsoon. Hendrix mentions that Bret “Hitman” Hart will defend the WWF Championship against the Undertaker at the Royal Rumble. Monsoon says Diesel is upset he didn’t get the title shot, but he’s a big boy and will get over it. Hendrix says this will be the biggest Royal Rumble ever. Can Monsoon reveal any other names other than Jeff Jarrett? Monsoon says he threw Jarrett’s name out of the Rumble match. After what he did last night, he’ll fight against Ahmed Johnson at the event instead. Monsoon says they’ll start releasing names on WWF Superstars this weekend.
Coming up next, Bob Holly will battle Buddy Landel. Tonight’s main event will be Razor Ramon defending the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Yokozuna.
Video: Goldust says, “Do you miss me, sweetheart,” a quote from 1994’s “Romeo Is Bleeding.” Goldust likes “The Bad Guy” Razor Ramon. Goldust is watching his every move. They have an unbreakable, special bond that reeks the smell of taboo. Ramon claims that he oozes Machismo. Goldust says, “Well, chico, let’s ooze it together.” Ramon will remember the name Goldust.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was a super uncomfortable promo from Goldust. Talk about being ahead of your time. No one was doing anything like this. This character is really emerging into the Goldust we’ve come to know from this period. Dustin Rhodes really leaned into it hard here.
-Commercial Break-
Raw is brought to you by Levi’s.
Replay: Last night at In Your House, Diesel was furious that Undertaker was named No. 1 Contender for the WWF Championship and confronted him in the locker room. Undertaker said he wasn’t dodging Diesel, and if this is how it has to be, then it shall be.
Dok Hendrix is at ringside with some Super NES, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation WWF games. If you buy them, you’ll get a VHS of cheats and codes.
Buddy Landel vs. Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly
Referee: Mike Chioda
They lock up, and Holly hits an arm drag takedown. They lock up, and Holly takes him down again. The referee accuses Holly of pulling Landel’s hair, which he didn’t. Landel knees Holly and punches him to the corner. Landel chops the chest and punches him in the head. Landel punches away at Holly, but Holly turns him around and chops away at him. Landel reverses a whip to the opposite corner, but Holly boots him back. Holly hits an arm drag takedown and wrenches the arm. Landel quickly fights up and wrenches the arm. Holly fights back, but Landel takes him down with a clothesline before strutting. Landel punches Holly and chops him in the corner. Landel whips him hard into the corner, and Holly falls to his knees. Landel kicks him in the back of the head before raking the eyes. Holly fights back with some right hands, but Landel kicks him in the midsection. Landel punches him in the face before booting him in the head. Landel takes him down and applies an armbar. Landel pulls him up, but Holly punches him back and sends him into the corner. Holly thinks he’s coming out of the corner, but Landel stays there. Landel kicks Holly and takes him down. Holly fights back, but Landel hits a drop toehold and ties the legs up. Landel stomps the back and whips Holly into the ropes for a back body drop. 1… 2… Holly kicks out. Landel sits on his back and pulls back on the chin. Landel knees Holly in the midsection and sends him into the ropes, but Holly drops him with a DDT.
Landel gets to his feet and punches him down, but Holly pops up and gets in his face. This happens a few times before Holly punches him to the corner. Holly does the ten punches in the corner, and Landel flops. Holly sends Landel into the ropes and hits a hurricanrana before punching away at him. Holly hits a pair of clotheslines for a two-count. Holly sends him into the ropes for a dropkick, but Landel holds the ropes. Landel drops an elbow and picks up the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Buddy Landel
Mike’s Thoughts: Hmm, considering that we’re not too far away from the dreaded Billionaire Ted segments, you have to wonder if they had bigger plans for Buddy Landel, who was a blatant Ric Flair rip-off. Unfortunately for Landel, the next night at the WWF Superstars tapings in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, which took place during a miserable blizzard, he slipped on the ice as he left the Stabler Arena and badly tore up his knee. That put him out of action for months and effectively ended his WWF run before it even got started. Then again, this run started with him getting beaten by Ahmed Johnson in less than a minute, and with the WCW garbage coming up, maybe it was for the best. Anyway, this match was lifeless and boring.
Coming up next, Ted DiBiase will be on The Brother Love Show. The main event will see Razor Ramon defend the WWF Intercontinental Championship against Yokozuna.
Video: Promotional considerations paid for by Hot Shot Basketball, Karate Fighter, and Ricochet.
-Commercial Break-
The Brother Love Show w/ Special Guest Ted DiBiase
Brother Love is in the ring with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Love exclaims, “I love you!” Love then turns to “Brother Million Dollar Man” and says he loves you. They both love you. It is indeed a lovely time of year. It’s so festive with Christmas one week away. Love says Santa Claus is busy. Santa was busy last night.
Video: Santa Claus attacked Savio Vega at In Your House 5 last night.
DiBiase says that wasn’t Santa Claus. That was Xanta Klaus from the South Pole. DiBiase says Xanta Klaus is like him and takes everything he can. The money in DiBiase’s vault will continue to grow. 1996 will be the Year of the Million Dollar Corporation. He’s got Xanta Klaus, Sid, and The 1-2-3 Kid. 1996 will be the Year of the Million Dollar Championship because everybody’s got a price for the Million Dollar Man. Love and DiBiase laugh and embrace.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was not good. Not good at all. The Million Dollar Corporation was supposedly due to be refocused and treated as a serious entity around this time… and then they do something like this.
Video: “Classy” Freddie Blassie stars in a video to promote The Raw Bowl, which takes place on January 1, 1996.
Yokozuna makes his way to the ring. Goldust comes out soon after with his usher and sits in a gold director’s chair.
-Commercial Break-
WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon makes his entrance and ignores Goldust. Last night at In Your House 5, Goldust handed Todd Pettengill an envelope for Razor Ramon. Ramon got it later in the night and crumpled up the letter.
As Ramon gets in the ring, the Goldust glitter comes down from the ceiling.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
Yokozuna w/ Mr. Fuji and Jim Cornette vs. Razor Ramon (c)
Referee: Earl Hebner
Yokozuna attacks Razor Ramon from behind and clubs him down. The bell rings to start the match. Yokozuna sends Ramon into the ropes, but Ramon ducks a clothesline and punches him out of the ring. Jim Cornette checks on Yokozuna, who takes his sweet time getting back into the ring. They lock up, and Ramon hooks a side headlock. Yokozuna whips him off and hits a scoop slam. Ramon avoids an elbow drop and wrenches the arm. Goldust is watching closely. Yokozuna whips Ramon off, and Ramon responds with a clothesline. Yokozuna doesn’t go down and sends Ramon out of the ring. Ramon gets back in and punches Yokozuna before attempting another clothesline. Ramon goes for a sunset flip, but Yokozuna doesn’t go down. Yokozuna goes to sit on him, but Ramon moves. Ramon wrenches the arm, but Yokozuna backs him to the corner. Yokozuna chops the chest and headbutts him. Yokozuna then rakes the face. Yokozuna hits a snapmare and applies a nerve hold. The crowd chants, “Razor.” Ramon soon fights up and elbows out. Ramon hits the ropes and ducks a clothesline, but Yokozuna catches him on the rebound.
Yokozuna is sweating profusely despite not doing a lot of work. Ramon fights back with some right hands, causing Yokozuna to wobble. Ramon hits one final right hand to knock him to the canvas. 1… 2… Yokozuna grabs the bottom rope.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Ramon is trapped in a nerve hold. Ramon fights up, powers out, and rocks Yokozuna with some right hands. Yokozuna responds with a throat thrust and punches him down in the corner. Yokozuna has him trapped in the corner and chokes him with his foot. The crowd chants “USA” as Ramon gets up and punches back at him. Ramon hits a leaping clothesline and takes the big man down. Yokozuna gets up and reverses a whip, but Ramon boots him back. Ramon goes to the second rope and hits a diving bulldog.
The lights begin to flicker as The Undertaker makes his way to the ring with Paul Bearer. Bearer is wheeling the casket that King Mabel was put in last night. Yokozuna is terrified and runs away from the ring. The referee counts Yokozuna out.
Winner by Count Out and still WWF Intercontinental Champion: Razor Ramon
Razor Ramon shrugs as his music starts to play.
Mike’s Thoughts: That was not a good match. It’s clear that Yokozuna’s weight is beyond out of control by this point. He’s completely and totally gassed after selling a few right hands from Razor Ramon, not even taking bumps. There wasn’t much you could do with him, and Razor Ramon struggled with this. They plodded through a few things before the Undertaker randomly came out, which made no sense because he’s in the title hunt now. Why look backward? Oh well, it fits the backward booking of 1995.
Coming up next, we’ll have a special presentation for Shawn Michaels.
Video: Buy WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game, as well as NFL Quarterback Club 96. They also advertise for Erector sets.
-Commercial Break-
Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler announce that there will be no episode of Raw next week because it will be Christmas. On January 1, we’ll have the first-ever WWF Raw Bowl, featuring eight WWF Superstars in action.
Dok Hendrix is standing by the Raw stage with WWF Intercontinental Champion Razor Ramon. Hendrix asks about Goldust’s interest in him. Ramon says Goldust sent him a letter, saying he’s hot and handsome. Ramon says Goldust is right, but he doesn’t play that way. Ramon only likes women. Goldust can do his thing, just not with him. Hendrix asks him to elaborate more. Ramon says it’s a family show, so he’ll tell him in the back. It’s not for children.
McMahon says this is one of the most appalling things they’ve had in the WWF. Lawler talks about wearing a football jersey for the Raw Bowl.
McMahon introduces a video, as Shawn Michaels may be at the end of his career.
Video: The classic/infamous “Tell Me a Lie” Shawn Michaels highlight package plays, and that’s how the final Raw of 1995 ends.
Quick Match Results
— Jeff Jarrett def. “Make a Difference” Fatu via DQ
— Buddy Landel def. Bob “Spark Plugg” Holly
— Razor Ramon (c) def. Yokozuna via CO to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship
Mike’s Wrap-Up: What We Learned from Raw
This episode was yet another missed opportunity for the WWF. I feel like any time they had an opportunity to go live against WCW, they should have taken that chance to do something exciting and get people talking. They did that in September when they flipped the Tag Titles to the Smoking Gunns (where have they been?). Last month, they did the big Shawn Michaels angle. Tonight? Dead matches with Jeff Jarrett and Buddy Landel, who lost in under a minute the night before, and a pointless match with a bad ending with Razor Ramon and Yokozuna. Oh, and the incredibly tacky Shawn Michaels video. I know some people really liked it. I almost gagged watching it.
On the other side of the wrestling war? Alundra Blayze showed up on the live WCW Nitro and threw the WWF Women’s Championship in the garbage can. Yes, that happened opposite this show. That ended women’s wrestling in the WWF for about three years, which is why Vince McMahon seemed off halfway through this event.
History Corner: The Night the WWF Women’s Championship Went in the Trash
Thirty years ago, one of the most iconic and genuinely shocking moments of the Monday Night War took place live on WCW Monday Nitro. Just days earlier, Alundra Blayze had been released from the WWF as the company quietly prepared to shut down its dying women’s division. With no contract and no plans in place (this doesn’t even get a noncompete clause because it was a straight-up release), WWF left her and the title in limbo.
WCW saw an opportunity… and they pounced.
Now back under her old ring name Madusa, she walked onto Nitro carrying the WWF Women’s Championship, declared the title meaningless, and dropped it into a trash can live on national television. Eric Bischoff has admitted many times since that this was absolutely a direct shot at Vince McMahon and the WWF. It was a major act of war.
The fallout was pretty big. The WWF immediately blacklisted her and effectively erased her from company history for well over a decade. Even when they put her in the Hall of Fame, she had to do a big song and dance about taking the title out of the trash. The women’s division was abandoned until 1998. Meanwhile, the moment became one of the defining visual symbols of WCW’s aggression and the escalation of the Monday Night War.
In hindsight, WCW totally used Madusa. She had almost no success there. I think one of her first matches was a loss. She’ll always be remembered in wrestling history, but he career was never the same. It was also the type of injury Vince McMahon would never forget and, in my opinion, was probably on McMahon’s mind constantly as he was going through the issues with Bret Hart leaving the WWF while still champion, which will be happening in about two years in this series. Granted, the circumstances were way different, and the Montreal Screwjob probably didn’t need to happen, but I believe this played a major role in them pulling the trigger on that.
Anyway, we’ve got Madusa throwing the WWF Women’s Title in the garbage and Randy Savage defending the WCW Championship on one side (see Roy Nemer’s recap for more). On this side, boring matches featuring Jeff Jarrett and Buddy Landel. Who won the night?
WWF Raw (USA Network, taped): 2.3 (Record: 6-7-2)
WCW Nitro (TNT, live): 2.7 (Record: 7-6-2)
Winner: WCW Nitro (2-week streak)
You can’t hear it, but I’m writing in my sarcastic, surprised voice: Oh, wow, I’m so surprised.
Last week’s Raw | In Your House 5
Raw is off next week for Christmas (as it was in 1995). I sincerely hope you’re enjoying this Monday Night War retro recap series. I’m looking forward to covering 1996! See you in the new year! Happy holidays!
Thanks for reading!
Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.