WWF Monday Night Raw Results
January 29, 1996 (Taped January 22)
Stockton, California (Stockton Civic Auditorium)
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: Tonight, the 1996 Royal Rumble Winner, Shawn Michaels, will battle the mighty Yokozuna. We’ll also revisit the “most audacious attack in WWF history,” the attack on Gorilla Monsoon by the man they call Vader. Diesel will take on The British Bulldog. Also, despite the threat of legal action against the WWF, they “proudly present” the latest antics of Billionaire Ted.
Video: The Raw video plays to lead us into the show.
The Raw Band is playing with Dok Hendrix leading the ensemble. Vince McMahon and Jerry “The King” Lawler welcome us to the show.
The British Bulldog w/ Jim Cornette vs. “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
Referee: Jimmy Korderas
The bell rings, and Diesel knees Bulldog in the midsection before knocking him to the corner. Diesel knees him in the midsection several times before elbowing him in the face. Diesel whips him to the opposite corner and hits a clothesline. Diesel continues to attack before sending him into the ropes. Bulldog ducks a clothesline, but Diesel soon catches him and slams him down. Diesel then clotheslines him over the top rope before posing.
Bulldog paces at ringside. Diesel approaches the ropes, so Bulldog pulls him down, drags his legs toward the ring post, and snaps his leg off the ring post a few times. Bulldog attacks the left leg of Diesel and applies a leglock. Bulldog releases the hold and stomps the former WWF Champion. Bulldog headbutts Diesel to the corner. Diesel fights out with a knee and some punches. Bulldog knocks him back and grabs the injured leg. Bulldog takes him down and drops an elbow on the leg.
Yokozuna wanders down to ringside to get a closer look.
-Commercial Break-
We return from the break to see Bulldog applying a single leg crab. Diesel grabs the bottom rope to break the hold. Yokozuna is standing at ringside. Bulldog distracts the referee as Yokozuna punches Diesel in the face. Bulldog clubs and punches Diesel down before taunting the crowd. Bulldog stomps the injured left leg and stretches it out. Diesel gets out by chopping his leg down on Bulldog’s face.
Diesel painfully pulls himself up in the corner, but Bulldog attacks and sends a hobbling Diesel to the opposite corner. Bulldog punches him down and stomps him out of the ring. Vince McMahon mentions that Bulldog has some legal trouble in Canada. Bulldog takes the top turnbuckle pad off and distracts the referee as Yokozuna puts Diesel back into the ring. Bulldog grabs Big Daddy Cool. Diesel blocks a shot into the exposed turnbuckle and slams Bulldog’s face off it in full view of the referee. Bulldog then hits him with snake eyes on the exposed turnbuckle and covers, but Jim Cornette is distracting the referee. Yokozuna gets in the ring and goes for a leg drop, but he hits Bulldog when Diesel moves. Diesel covers Bulldog for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel
Jim Cornette is not happy and yells at Yokozuna.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was just an average match with a subpar finish, but it was still infinitely better than the disaster that was their In Your House main event in October 1995. Diesel looked super aggressive in this.
WWF Slam Jam
Dok Hendrix is in his Merchandise Pit. In a few moments, we’ll have the latest edition of Billionaire Ted, despite the threat of legal action. At the next In Your House, Bret “Hitman” Hart will defend the WWF Championship against Diesel in a Steel Cage Match.
Video: WWF Champion Bret “Hitman” Hart, sporting a nasty black eye, says he once had respect for Diesel. Hart thought he was a great champion, but not anymore. Diesel talks about how the WWF was run on Diesel Power, but it’s actually Hitman Power. Diesel has a problem with that, getting involved in Hart’s matches and being an ache in his side. They’ll settle it all in a Steel Cage match. Hart has never lost a Steel Cage match, so Diesel can bring everything he’s got. The Excellence of Execution will wipe him out.
Back to Dok Hendrix, Shawn Michaels will put his WrestleMania XII title shot on the line against Owen Hart after being goaded into it last week on Raw. Hendrix also announces that Razor Ramon will take on The 1-2-3 Kid in a Crybaby Match. The loser will be fed with a bottle and wear a diaper. We’ll also see Hunter Hearst Helmsley take on Duke “The Dumpster” Droese.
Video: This past weekend on WWF Superstars, Helmsley attacked Droese and cut his hair. Later in the night, Droese tried to attack, but Helmsley used his opponent as a shield to escape him.
Hendrix brings us back to the Billionaire Ted business. On January 17, a Turner executive said he loved the Billionaire Ted stuff. Now, that same executive is now threatening legal action against the WWF.
The show the letter, which is signed by Eric Bischoff, WCW’s Senior Vice President. The letter reads:
Dear Mr. McMahon:
Your letter dated January 3, 1996 to Mr. Ted Turner, and your subsequent letter of January 18, 1996, have been directed to my attention.
Although initially mildly amusing, the WWF programming (that you refer to as “satirical vignettes”) has become defamatory and disparaging to WCW and its wrestlers. Accordingly, we have referred this issue to our legal counsel for review and response. In addition, Mr. McDevitt’s letter of January 11, 1996 on you behalf to Mr. Lambros of this office (reply attached) has similarly been referred to legal counsel for review and response. By copy of this letter, we are informing Mr. McDevitt of this referral and advising him that we found his previous letters wholly without merit and underserving of response.
In light of WCW and WWF program ratings, we understand your concern about the content of our programs. Your encouragement is duly noted, however, WCW programming decisions are the responsibility of WCW and Turner Broadcasting.
Finally, as you are aware, WCW has a comprehensive Substance Abuse Policy which includes drug testing. While we can appreciate your interest in combining the efforts of the WWF with certain facets of our program, we are not so inclined.
Sincerely,
Eric Bischoff
Senior Vice President
Hendrix says the WWF is ready to stand for their rights, their company, and the fans. Besides, the fans asked for it, so they’ll get it.
Video: Billionaire Ted walks into a press conference with some executives, The Huckster, and The Nacho Man trailing him. Ted says he has a statement to read. Contrary to what the WWF wants you to believe, he’s not a hillbilly and doesn’t wear cheap suits. A reporter asks if Billionaire Ted and his $4 billion conglomerate are trying to put the WWF out of business. Billionaire Ted won’t answer that. Another reporter mentions that he provides double the content of the WWF, but they undercut the WWF’s advertising rates. Ted starts to mumble until an executive whispers to him. Ted says he won’t answer that because the facts speak for themselves.
A third reporter asks if he put his show against Raw to hurt the WWF. Ted smirks and says he’s pretty smart. Another reporter mentions that since Ted owns his own networks, he could have put the show on any other night in primetime. Wouldn’t that be better for fans? Ted likes her and wants her on his news shows. Another reporter says Billionaire Ted doesn’t care about the fans. He just wants the WWF out of business. Ted says he’ll squish them like a bug.
Another reporter asks Nacho Man who will win his match against the Huckster at WrestleMania. The Huckster says it’s in his contract with Billionaire Ted that he never loses. The Huckster feebly rips his shirt off.
The last reporter asks what he won’t do to put the WWF out of business. Ted asks for his lithium.
To be continued…
Mike’s Thoughts: You can see how incredibly petty this thing is becoming. Showing the letter from Eric Bischoff, which was petty in and of itself, Dok Hendrix/Michael Hayes talking about the WWF “fighting for their rights” to “proudly” bring to you this segment. Proudly? This is something they were proud of? Yikes. Even if they had some points with the questions the “reporters” were asking Billionaire Ted, it’s so pathetic to watch it play out in real time. Vince McMahon was trying to build the WWF up as the underdog. I know wrestling fans have a short memory, but it was only about ten years prior that Vince was putting many territories out of business. Now, he’s getting a taste of his own medicine and acting like a victim. They’ll figure it out, but it takes a while!
-Commercial Break-
Tag Team Match
The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) w/ Sunny vs. The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phinneas I. Godwinn) w/ Hillbilly Jim
Referee: Tim White
Before the match begins, Hillbilly Jim gives Phinneas I. Godwinn his lucky horseshoe. The bell rings, and it’ll be Skip starting against Henry O. Godwinn. They lock up, and Godwinn applies a side headlock. Skip whips him off, so Henry shoulder tackles him. Henry hits the ropes and soon starts punching Skip. Henry presses him up, but Zip chop blocks Henry. The Bodydonnas stomp Henry before Zip tags in. The Bodydonnas send Henry into the ropes for a double-team suplex. Sunny starts trying to distract Hillbilly Jim at ringside. In the ring, Skip misses a diving headbutt.
Phinneas I. Godwinn tags in for his wrestling debut. Phinneas runs wild on the Bodydonnas before hitting Skip with a Slop Drop for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Godwinns
The Godwinns and Hillbilly Jim trap Sunny in the ring and dosey-doe with her. Sunny runs away with the Bodydonnas.
Mike’s Thoughts: Well, Phinneas I. Godwinn just randomly showed up and became a tag team with Henry O. Godwinn. P.I.G. and H.O.G. Get it? Get it?! They’re hog farmers and their initials spell pig and hog… get it?! Woof. Pretty cool to see Phinneas, who would later become Mideon, in this series. Somehow, this Phinneas gimmick isn’t as bad as the Naked Mideon gimmick he’ll do in a few years.
Video: Next week on Raw, Bret “Hitman” Hart will put the WWF Championship on the line against the Undertaker in a Royal Rumble rematch.
Video: At the Royal Rumble, Vader attacked his own stablemate, Yokozuna, after being eliminated, before causing chaos. Gorilla Monsoon disciplined him at the event. Last week on Raw, Monsoon indefinitely suspended Vader after he attacked some referees. Vader would then attack Monsoon and hit him with a Vader Bomb.
Backstage Segment
Clarence Mason is backstage with Jim Cornette. Mason says Vader’s suspension is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, arbitrary, and prejudicial. Gorilla Monsoon knew Mr. Vader’s history and put his hands on him. Mr. Vader defended himself. They have a good case for self-defense. Mason is preparing a motion to quash and vacate this illegal proceeding. Mason also has a temporary injunction to stay this illegal act. They’ll look into criminal and civil actions if Mr. Vader isn’t reinstated immediately.
Gorilla Monsoon will be back next week to respond to those comments. If you would like to send get-well wishes to Monsoon, they put up an address.
Dok Hendrix is rocking out with the Raw Band. When we come back, we’ll meet the acting WWF President.
-Commercial Break-
The new Acting WWF President is announced
Vince McMahon is in the ring and introduces the man whom Gorilla Monsoon personally chose as the Acting President of the World Wrestling Federation. They say anything can happen in the WWF. McMahon introduces “Rowdy” Roddy Piper!
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper makes his way to the ring to a BIG ovation. McMahon says there is a great deal of trepidation… Piper asks if this makes him McMahon’s boss. Piper says he is the president. Piper tells McMahon to call him Mr. President. McMahon says there is great trepidation among individuals in the company. Piper laughs and says they’re scared to death. Their knees are knocking. You can crush walnuts between those knees. Piper says it’s a surprise to him, but it shows how out of hand things are getting. Piper took a coconut and smeared a guy who’s never been the same. In Madison Square Garden, Piper kicked Cyndi Lauper, knocked out Mr. T, chased Dick Clark to the dressing room, and took ten of New York’s finest on and didn’t go to jail.
McMahon asks Piper what he thinks of the WWF Superstars. Piper says he sees a New Generation of some of the toughest, greatest athletes he’s ever seen. Piper started the WWF. These guys are faster, stronger, and smarter. The only thing they’re not is they’re a little confused. Piper excuses his English. What Piper intends to do is straighten things out. There will be no government shutdown when he’s president. Where he comes from, Newt Gingrich is something that can’t have kids. Piper has six kids. That’s why he’s president. Piper takes out some paper and says he has some rules. McMahon says he’s never lived by rules in his life. Piper says that’s a good point and puts the paper away.
What can the fans expect from “Rowdy” Roddy Piper’s reign as president from now until WrestleMania? Piper says he loves the fans and says they’re in good hands with him. McMahon asks about the WWF Superstars. Piper says everybody’s gonna pay the Piper, and McMahon is no different. Piper lifts McMahon and gives him an airplane spin. McMahon just accepts it.
Mike’s Thoughts: It’s kind of ironic that about fifteen minutes before this happened, they were chastising WCW for using old talent. Now, they’re bringing back Roddy Piper (an old timer at the ripe old age of 41, three years older than me…) for a shot of adrenaline heading into WrestleMania. Granted, Piper isn’t main-eventing and having the show built around him, but he’s definitely there to bring some more excitement and factor into some new things. I’m not complaining. I love Roddy Piper, and it’s great to see him on the show.
Coming up next, Shawn Michaels battles Yokozuna.
-Commercial Break-
Video: A mysterious man with a deformed ear is shown. He says, “So many of life’s great questions remain unanswered. Why is the sky blue? What happened to my ear? Why am I the way I am? And why are so many people frightened of me? I don’t know. Have a nice day!” The man speaks in high-pitched and desperate tones.
Jerry “The King” Lawler says he thinks his name is Mankind.
Mike’s Thoughts: There it is! A few weeks ago, we had the debut of The Ringmaster, who will become “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. We’ve already got Hunter Hearst Helmsley on the roster, as well as The Undertaker and Isaac Yankem, who will become Kane. Now we see a preview of the incoming Mankind. The future of the Attitude Era and the people who deliver the decisive blows in this Monday Night War are already almost all assembled. Mankind/Mick Foley is one of my all-time favorites. This was an awesome preview vignette.
Yokozuna w/ Jim Cornette vs. Shawn Michaels
Referee: Earl Hebner
This is Shawn Michaels’ first Raw match since collapsing in the ring in November 1995.
Michaels gets the crowd cheering him on and booing Yokozuna. The bell rings, and they lock up. Yokozuna easily powers him down and taunts the crowd. They lock up, and HBK hooks a side headlock. Yokozuna shoves him off and hits a shoulder tackle. HBK scoots to the corner and takes a moment to recover. Yokozuna presses him against the ropes and chops him. Yokozuna sends him into the ropes, but HBK ducks a clothesline and slides through his legs. HBK punches at him and knocks Yokozuna out of the ring. HBK celebrates and taunts Yokozuna’s sumo poses.
Owen Hart heads to ringside to check on Yokozuna. HBK high-fives some fans as Yokozuna takes a few moments to recover.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, HBK sidesteps an avalanche. HBK comes off the top rope with a double ax handle before going back to the top rope for a moonsault block. 1… 2… Yokozuna kicks out. Yokozuna reverses a whip to the corner, and HBK slings over the turnbuckle and falls to the floor. Jim Cornette distracts the referee as Hart attacks HBK and rams him into the ring post. After a few moments, Yokozuna distracts the referee as Hart attacks HBK from behind again.
HBK holds his back in pain as the referee begins counting him out. HBK slowly gets back in the ring. Yokozuna hits a snapmare and applies a nerve hold. 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.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the final break of the evening, Michaels avoids a massive leg drop from Yokozuna. The crowd chants, “USA.” HBK pulls himself up and heads to the top rope. Yokozuna manages to avoid a flying splash, leading HBK to crash and burn on the canvas.
Yokozuna pulls Michaels up, but Michaels punches back at him. Yokozuna is looking wobbly. Yokozuna reverses a whip, but Michaels stuns him with a flying forearm. Michaels hits the ropes and hits another flying forearm to take him down. Michaels kicks him in the face and goes to the top rope. Michaels dives, but Yokozuna catches him and drives him into the corner. Cornette distracts the referee as Yokozuna holds Michaels up. Michaels ducks as Hart accidentally hits Yokozuna with a spinning heel kick. Michaels immediately hits Yokozuna with Sweet Chin Music for the win!
Winner by Pinfall: Shawn Michaels
A furious Yokozuna shoves Owen Hart. The British Bulldog runs down to try to keep the peace in Camp Cornette. Shawn Michaels stands back and watches this. Cornette points to Michaels, and they start to approach the winner of the 1996 Royal Rumble. Diesel runs down to even the odds. Camp Cornette leaves the ring. The Two Dudes with Attitudes stand tall.
Vince McMahon asks Jim Cornette about the problems in his stable. Cornette says there is no dissension among his men. If Diesel and Shawn Michaels want to be the WWF’s answer to the Glimmer Twins, that’s fine. If they want to stick their noses in everyone’s business, they can have a tag match against Yokozuna and Owen Hart to see who the better team is. Cornette asks if they’ll accept or tuck their tails and crawl away. HBK and Diesel feign fear and accept the match.
Mike’s Thoughts: It’s getting sadder and sadder to see the deterioration of Yokozuna. Just a few months ago, when this Monday Night War series first started, he was still much more mobile and able to go. Somehow, he keeps getting bigger, making it harder and harder for him to have a match without smoke and mirrors. It’s a sad and scary sight. To think where he was less than two years ago, dominating the company as the WWF Champion. It’s clear they’re in the process of phasing him out. Still, if you have to do a match with smoke and mirrors, you couldn’t pick a better opponent than an in his prime Shawn Michaels. HBK was able to make this more than passable.
Quick Match Results
— “Big Daddy Cool” Diesel def. The British Bulldog
— The Godwinns (Henry O. Godwinn and Phinneas I. Godwinn) def. The Bodydonnas (Skip and Zip) in a Tag Team Match
— Shawn Michaels def. Yokozuna
Mike’s Wrap-Up: What We Learned from Raw
This was just a really strong episode of Raw. Not perfect, not revolutionary, but focused and effective (aside from the Billionaire Ted stuff). This is something the WWF has struggled with for a while: consistency.
Shawn Michaels returning to the Raw ring and closing the show was good. They didn’t play too much on the concussion angle aside from a few comments from Jerry Lawler. The collapse angle, the Royal Rumble win, and now this match all flowed together naturally. WWF has firmly committed to Michaels as the centerpiece heading into WrestleMania, and for once, it feels like they know exactly what they’re doing with him. They’ve screwed up a lot of stuff in the last few years. They’re not messing up with him.
Elsewhere, the show continued to build on threads that have been quietly gaining momentum. The Vader suspension storyline escalated in an interesting way with the Clarence Mason return, and bringing Roddy Piper back as an authority figure was a smart move that adds more energy to the show without completely overshadowing the roster. Even some of the weaker elements, like the Billionaire Ted skits, felt more like background noise than distractions on a night where the core angles landed.
This Raw didn’t try to do too much. It continues to help set the stage for WrestleMania, reinforces who matters, and moves things forward without overcomplicating them. WWF still isn’t winning the war at this point, but shows like this make it clear they’re starting to figure out how to compete. And with tonight featuring a tease of the debut of Mankind, the major players are on their way to start helping.
So, how did this show match against WCW Monday Nitro? Last week, WWF pulled off its first victory with a live Raw against a live Nitro. How did this taped Raw do against another live Nitro?
WWF Raw (USA Network, taped): 2.4 (Record: 9-9-2)
WCW Nitro (TNT, live): 2.8 (Record: 9-9-2)
Winner: WCW Nitro
Yup, WCW is back on top with a card that featured Ric Flair battling Hulk Hogan, as well as Randy Savage and The Giant in a WCW World Heavyweight Championship match. That’s too strong a line-up to be beaten by Yokozuna vs. Shawn Michaels.
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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Thanks for reading!
Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.