WWF Monday Night Raw Results
July 15, 1996 (Taped June 24)
Green Bay, Wisconsin (Brown County Expo)
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: Earlier tonight, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon was at the entrance to the arena to welcome WWF Champion Shawn Michaels and WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson. José Lothario was also there. They were immediately confronted by Camp Cornette, but WWF officials ran over before anything could happen.
Video: The WWF Raw video plays.
WWF Intercontinental Championship
WWF Tag Team Champion Bart Gunn w/ Sunny vs. Ahmed Johnson (c)
Referee: Jack Doan
The bell rings, and they lock up. Johnson backs him into the corner and backs up, but Gunn shoves him. Gunn claims that Johnson pulled his hair. They lock up again. At ringside, Jerry Lawler kisses Sunny’s hand. Sunny declines to shake Vince McMahon’s hand. Gunn hits Johnson with an arm drag before high-fiving Sunny. Johnson gets to his feet and locks up with Gunn before hitting an arm drag takedown. Johnson shakes hands with Gunn. They lock up, and Gunn goes for a hip toss, but Johnson blocks it. Johnson connects with a hip toss, and Gunn retreats to the corner. Sunny pats him on the back. They lock up once again before Johnson hits another hip toss. Gunn quickly grabs Johnson by the arm and hits a short-arm clothesline before stomping away at him.
Sunny cheers Gunn on as he wrenches Johnson’s arm. Gunn elbows Johnson in the arm and twists it around the top rope. Johnson goes to the apron and snaps Johnson’s arm off the top rope. The WWF Intercontinental Champion is down on the mat. Gunn rolls into the ring before going outside and slinging Johnson’s arm off the ring post. Gunn then twists it around the ring post. Gunn gets in the ring and applies an armbar. WWF Champion Shawn Michaels is shown watching this match backstage. Gunn knees Johnson in the arm before applying a hammerlock with his leg. Sunny pulls on Gunn’s arm to apply more pressure. The referee catches them eventually and admonishes Sunny.
Johnson fights up and punches Gunn into the corner before headbutting him in the midsection and driving his shoulder into him. Johnson sends him to the opposite corner and charges, but Gunn sidesteps him, causing Johnson to hit the ring post with his shoulder. Gunn applies a hammerlock and drives Johnson into the top turnbuckle for a two-count. Gunn attacks the injured arm before hitting a snapmare and applying a cross armbreaker. Johnson tries to fight up, but Gunn keeps him down.
Vince McMahon announces that there has been dialogue between the WWF and The Ultimate Warrior’s lawyer. McMahon hopes the dialogue will continue and there will be an assurance that Warrior will appear as advertised should he return.
Johnson eventually fights up and sends Gunn into the ropes and hits a snap powerslam, but his arm is too injured to follow up. Johnson gets to his feet and pulls Johnson into the top turnbuckle. Sunny talks major trash to Johnson as Gunn hits him with a hammerlock scoop slam.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Gunn connects with a bulldog for a two-count. During the commercial, Jerry “The King” Lawler went backstage and is just returning now. Gunn goes to the top rope and hits a diving bulldog for a near fall. Gunn slaps the mat in frustration. Gunn hits the ropes, but Johnson lifts him and crotches him on the top rope. Johnson then wildly throws himself at Gunn, taking him and Gunn over the top rope to the floor with a clothesline.
Johnson gets Gunn in the ring and attacks him. Johnson puts him into the corner and viciously punches him down before kicking him. Johnson sends Gunn into the ropes for a big spinebuster. Johnson signals for the end and lifts Gunn. It’s Pearl River Plunge time. Johnson slams him with the Pearl River Plunge for the win. Sunny is furious.
Winner by Pinfall and still WWF Intercontinental Champion: Ahmed Johnson
Mike’s Thoughts: Not much of a match to speak of here. It was as basic as it got, with two guys going at it with limited skill. The crowd was dead because Ahmed Johnson was in no danger of dropping the title here. This is an instance where a title match stipulation hurts. The prospect of Bart Gunn winning the Intercontinental Title is so far-fetched that I doubt this was a draw for anyone to want to watch.
Backstage Segment
WWF Champion Shawn Michaels is backstage. Vince McMahon mentions all Michaels has going on. Michaels says getting spread thin is a responsibility the WWF Champion has to take on, and he’s taken it on. Every time he walks out there, he has to worry about walking back with the title. Tonight, he’s got Billy Gunn. He has to worry about whether Bart is in the building, as well as Sunny at ringside. Everyone knows Camp Cornette is around here somewhere. One way or the other, he’s leaving with his gold. Then, this Sunday in Vancouver, British Columbia, at In Your House: International Incident, people are wondering whether he and Ahmed Johnson can trust Sycho Sid. Michaels believes they can. There’s a relationship between him and Sid that people don’t know, but he won’t get into it now. Michaels believes Sid will be by their side. They’ll take care of Camp Cornette once and for all. Gang warfare will happen. Michaels warns Camp Cornette not to bring a knife to a gunfight.
“Wildman” Marc Mero and Sable make their way to the ring. As they do, Goldust’s usher runs down and hands a present to Sable. Sable looks nervous and throws it down.
-Commercial Break-
Video: There is apparently huge news on the WWF Superstar Line. Call 1-900-737-4WWF and select Option 6. An unidentified source has revealed plans to destroy Shawn Michaels’ confidence at International Incident. Find out more. It’s only $1.49 a minute!
Raw is brought to you by America Online and the Got Milk? campaign.
Video: T.L. Hopper, a wrestling plumber, is shown working on a toilet with his plumber’s crack in full view. We also see footage of him defeating Duke “The Dumpster” Droese on WWF Superstars before digging a plunger into Droese’s face (Droese’s last WWF match).
“Wildman” Marc Mero w/ Sable vs. T.L. Hopper
Referee: Mike Chioda
T.L. Hopper puts his plunger, Betsy, in the corner. They lock up, and Mero applies a side headlock before applying a hammerlock and taking him down. Mero then applies an STF. Mero quickly hooks a side headlock as Hopper fights up. Hopper whips Mero off, but Mero shoulder tackles him. Mero hits the ropes and hits a hip toss before connecting with a pair of arm drags, followed by a dropkick that sends Hopper out of the ring. Mero sets up for a dive, but he puts the brakes on when Hopper moves.
Locker Room: Jim Cornette is in the locker room happily talking with Camp Cornette.
In the ring, Mero hits a takeover before hitting a side headlock takeover for a two-count. Hopper gets out with a grapevine of Mero’s head. Mero fights out and takes Hopper down. Hopper pulls Mero’s hair and grapevines his head. Mero gets out. Mero applies a hammerlock, but Hopper elbows out and punches him down. Hopper rips at his face before Mero fights back with some right hands. Hopper quickly elbows him down and drops a knee. Hopper bounces Mero’s head off the top turnbuckle before hitting a sidewalk slam for a two-count. Mero fights back and sends Hopper into the ropes, but Hopper elbows him down.
Backstage: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is shown backstage.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Mero fights back and goes for a sunset flip, but Hopper stays on his feet and punches him. Hopper drops a leg and picks up a two-count.
Backstage: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is shown backstage. Austin says his match against Mero at International Incident will end the same as at King of the Ring. Mero will pay for what he did to Stone Cold’s face. Austin tells McMahon to shut up and says he’s the best wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation. If he can’t get it done wrestling, he’s the best cheap shot artist there is. Mero will pay big time.
In the ring, Hopper chokes Mero on the middle rope. Hopper headbutts Mero down and pulls his pants up. Hopper punches Mero in the face, so Mero kicks and punches back at him. Mero sends Hopper to the corner and charges, but Hopper boots him down. Hopper connects with a scoop slam. Hopper goes for a big splash, but Mero moves.
Mero punches away at Hopper’s midsection. Hopper reverses a whip, but Mero hits a head-scissor takeover. Mero connects with a hip toss out of the corner. Mero sends Hopper into the ropes and hits a back body drop. Mero sends Hopper into the ropes, kicks him, and hits a running knee lift. Hopper quickly rakes him in the eyes and sends him into the ropes. Mero jumps over Hopper and uppercuts him before crushing him with a Kiss That Don’t Miss (left-handed knockout punch) for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: “Wildman” Marc Mero
Mike’s Thoughts: My goodness, what a miserable match. T.L. Hopper is one of the “jobbers with gimmicks” that the WWF signed to help fill out their roster. The guy was shown in a video with his butt crack hanging out, and his entrance theme was a toilet flushing. For one segment with a few good Jerry Lawler jokes, this would have been fine. But for this match against Marc Mero to go through a commercial break, that’s unforgivable. Mero, even in victory, could not possibly have looked worse while selling to this guy for the majority of the match. How is that supposed to sell a pay-per-view match against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin? As the toilet-flushing sound played over the speakers, it was the sound of this company’s ratings continuing to decline. Whatever beating they’re getting from WCW is absolutely earned and deserved.
Locker Room Segment
Jim Cornette is in the locker room with The British Bulldog, Owen Hart, and Vader. Cornette says they’ve been on their best behavior. Everyone thought they’d interfere in Ahmed Johnson’s match. They didn’t. Everyone thinks they’ll interfere in Shawn Michaels’ match. They won’t. They’re here to talk about the International Incident that will take place this Sunday. There will be two superpowers clashing. Camp Cornette got the first shot in by taking out the Ultimate Warrior. Shawn Michaels’ team got the next shot by bringing in Sycho Sid, a guy who has been locked up for the past six months, getting shock treatments. They’re due for a shot now. This Sunday in Vancouver at International Incident, they’ll get a lot of shots in. Vader is the only man who has beaten Ahmed Johnson. The British Bulldog almost took Shawn Michaels’ title. Owen Hart almost took Shawn Michaels out of wrestling. Camp Cornette will have something up their sleeve this Sunday. This is a gang fight, and they’re one mean gang that intends to win.
Video: A video showcasing some career highlights of The Undertaker, as well as his feud with Mankind and Goldust, is shown.
This Sunday at In Your House: International Incident, The Undertaker will battle Goldust.
WWF Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn heads to the ring with Sunny. Shawn Michaels puts his WWF Championship on the line against Gunn next.
Video: See it… feel it… touch it… live it live! The WWF Attitude Adjustment Tour continues. This Sunday, it’ll be In Your House: International Incident from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. Next Monday, Raw will take place at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington. A week from Tuesday, they’ll be in the Sundome in Yakima, Washington. Next Wednesday, they head to the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington. Finally, next Thursday, they’ll be in the legendary Cow Palace in San Francisco, California.
-Commercial Break-
Video: This past weekend, WWF Champion Shawn Michaels was a guest at The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation’s Sweethearts Tennis Tournament.
WWF Championship
WWF Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn w/ Sunny vs. Shawn Michaels (c) w/ José Lothario
Referee: Tim White
As the match begins, Vince McMahon extends condolences to the Hart family. Matthew Annis, the 13-year-old nephew of Bret Hart, Owen Hart, and Davey Boy Smith, had passed away.
Mike’s Thoughts: This was an awful tragedy for the Hart family, one of several they would endure in the years ahead. Matthew was the son of Georgia Hart and her husband, B.J. Annis, a part-time wrestler. He fell ill earlier in July with necrotizing fasciitis, a horrific infection commonly known as flesh-eating disease, and sadly passed away on July 13. Matthew was the second of four children, with two sisters, Annie and Angela, and an older brother, Edward, better known to wrestling fans as Teddy Hart. May Matthew Annis rest in peace.
They lock up, and Gunn hooks a side headlock. Michaels whips him off, but Gunn shoulder tackles him, sending Michaels flying. Michaels pulls himself up as Sunny claps at ringside. They lock up again, and Gunn goes back to the side headlock. Michaels whips him off and drops down, but Gunn still manages to shoulder tackle him down. Sunny shouts at Michaels from ringside.
Video: WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson is backstage watching this match. Johnson says he’s watching HBK’s back, but he’s looking good, as usual. Michaels watched his back, so he’s returning the favor. This Sunday, they’ll watch each other’s backs, along with Sycho Sid. Johnson guarantees it’ll be downright raw in the ring. Vince McMahon says he agrees, and Jerry Lawler questions, “You understood him?”
Michaels whips Gunn off from a side headlock, drops down, and sends him over the top rope. Sunny gets on the apron and shouts at Michaels, poking him in the chest. Michaels kisses her, ducks a slap, and kisses her again. Michaels ducks a strike from Gunn before hitting the ropes and twisting into a roll-up for a two-count. Michaels hits a hip toss and goes for Sweet Chin Music, but Gunn falls back and rolls out of the ring.
Sunny checks on Gunn at ringside. Michaels hits Gunn with a baseball slide before chasing Sunny off while threatening to pinch her. Michaels gets Gunn in the ring and goes to the top rope. Michaels goes for a double ax handle, but Gunn punches him in the midsection. Gunn then hits a leg drop bulldog for a two-count. Gunn angrily punches away at Michaels. Gunn puts him in the corner and punches away at his midsection. Michaels reverses a whip to the opposite corner and slides under a big boot attempt. Michaels sweeps Gunn’s feet and pulls him crotch-first into the ring post! Michaels then goes to the apron and connects with a slingshot clothesline. Michaels punches away at him before going back to the top rope. Sunny distracts Michaels, so Gunn slams him off the top rope. Gunn hits him with a clothesline over the top rope before posing in the ring.
José Lothario shouts encouragement to Michaels. Gunn goes outside and punches Michaels down. Jerry “The King” Lawler tells a story about how the Canadian Olympic swimmers signed a contract to agree to abstain from having sex. Vince McMahon exclaims, “Sex?! What does sex have to do with the WWF Championship?!”
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Gunn is applying a rear chin lock. During the commercial, Gunn gives Michaels a military press facebuster on the apron. Back to live action, Michaels fights up, but Gunn elbows him down. Gunn takes his time before covering for a near fall. Gunn digs his knee into Michaels’ back and applies another rear chin lock. Gunn rakes his eyes and bounces him off the top turnbuckle. Michaels blocks a second attempt and bounces Gunn off the top turnbuckle. Gunn pokes him in the eyes, and a blinded Michaels swings wildly at the open air. Gunn punches away at him and takes him down for a two-count. Gunn shoves Michaels into the corner before whipping him hard into the opposite corner. Michaels collapses in pain as Gunn high-fives Sunny. Gunn puts Michaels in the tree of woe and stomps away at Michaels.
Sunny goes over to Lawler and celebrates with him. Gunn punches away at Michaels, but Michaels begins responding with strikes. Gunn sends Michaels into the ropes and hits a running clothesline.
Video: Camp Cornette is shown leaving the arena. Jim Cornette says they know when they’re not wanted. Cornette stays behind.
In the ring, Gunn goes for a running bulldog, but Michaels throws him off.
-Commercial Break-
Back from the break, Michaels leapfrogs Gunn and hits him with a flying forearm to the jaw. Michaels kips up and gets fired up. The crowd starts coming to their feet. Michaels stomps on Gunn’s face and starts punching away at him. Michaels sends him into the ropes for a dropkick. Michaels connects with a scoop slam and heads to the top rope. Michaels hits a diving elbow drop and starts looking around. Michaels tunes up the band in the corner and smashes Gunn with Sweet Chin Music. It’s academic, now. 1… 2… 3.
Winner by Pinfall and still WWF Champion: Shawn Michaels
Sunny is upset and slaps the apron in frustration. Michaels pulls Gunn to his feet and dumps him out of the ring. Michaels embraces José Lothario in the ring. Lothario will go face-to-face with Jim Cornette on the WWF Free for All. Michaels celebrates and goes into the crowd.
Backstage Segment
WWF Intercontinental Champion Ahmed Johnson is waiting for Shawn Michaels as he comes through the curtain. No sooner does Michaels get there than Jim Cornette shows up and throws a cup of water in his face. Michaels and Johnson furiously chase Cornette into the parking garage, where they are ambushed by Vader, Owen Hart, and The British Bulldog.
All of a sudden, a car wildly speeds into the garage and takes out a few garbage cans. It’s Sycho Sid! Sid joins the fray, but Camp Cornette gets in their car and speeds off as the show comes to an end.
Mike’s Thoughts: This match was much better than Ahmed Johnson vs. Bart Gunn, but the WWF Championship stipulation actually wound up hurting this. It’s beyond the height of absurdity for anyone to believe Billy Gunn was going to unseat Shawn Michaels as the WWF Champion heading into a PPV match. Sometimes, title matches on TV can certainly be a draw if built right, but these were so randomly assigned and against opponents with next to zero chance of winning that I doubt they drove anyone to tune in.
The one thing that I have to give the WWF props on was retaping all the stuff from this taping that involved The Ultimate Warrior. This WWF Championship match actually ended with Camp Cornette hitting the ring, leading to Ahmed Johnson coming out, and then, finally, The Ultimate Warrior. That was all edited out (though I would love it if the WWE Vault would put this lost Warrior footage up) and replaced with vignettes they filmed at WWF Live Events. It was pretty seamless. If you didn’t know what was going on, you wouldn’t have noticed.
All that said, they did a good job promoting the main event of the PPV, but it’s still not an interesting enough match for me to be psyched to see. This show isn’t producing remotely close to the excitement that WCW is.
Quick Match Results
— Ahmed Johnson (c) def. WWF Tag Team Champion Bart Gunn to retain the WWF Intercontinental Championship
— “Wildman” Marc Mero def. T.L. Hopper
— Shawn Michaels (c) def. WWF Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn to retain the WWF Championship
Mike’s Wrap-Up: What We Learned from Raw
This was another bad episode of Raw, even if the WWF did a respectable job salvaging the Ultimate Warrior situation. The company clearly had to rework this show after Warrior’s suspension, and to their credit, the replacement vignettes with Shawn Michaels, Ahmed Johnson, Sycho Sid, and Camp Cornette were pretty seamless. If you didn’t know Warrior had originally been part of the closing angle, you probably wouldn’t have noticed anything was missing.
The problem is that the rest of the show was an absolute chore to watch. Ahmed Johnson and Shawn Michaels were never in any real danger of losing their championships to Bart and Billy Gunn. Marc Mero, who should be gaining momentum for a PPV match against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, spent far too long selling for a wrestling plumber. The main event angle was promoted well enough, but the International Incident six-man still doesn’t feel like the kind of match that changes the direction of the company.
That’s the bigger issue now. The WWF is trying to create urgency, but WCW has it naturally. Nitro has Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and the newly formed New World Order on live, weekly television, dominating the conversation. Raw, with their shows taped one month out, has to work much harder just to feel relevant. The WWF deserves some credit for cleaning up a messy situation this week, but creatively, this still feels like a company rearranging furniture in a burning house while WCW is building something much bigger.
WWF Raw (USA Network, taped): 2.6 (Record: 19-20-2)
WCW Nitro (TNT, live): 3.4 (Record: 20-19-2)
Winner: WCW Nitro (5-week streak)
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
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Part of Wrestleview’s Monday Night War: 30 Years Later series, with weekly Raw and Nitro recaps every Thursday.